Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 18/04/12…Talented Thame youngsters take to the stage

    SINGERS, dancers and actors from the Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre will tread the boards at an Oxford theatre this month when they perform their annual production.

    A total of 32 local secondary schoolchildren, including some from Lord Williams’s in Thame, will bring their own touch of glamour to The Theatre at Headington by performing the popular musical Evita, a production about the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron with music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.

    There will be four 7.30pm shows at the 240-seat venue, which is situated within Headington School on Headington Road, from Wednesday, April 18 to Saturday, April 21. A matinee will also be performed on the show’s last day at 2.30pm.

    The pupils were auditioned for parts last year and have been learning lines and perfecting dance routines since September.

    Future success

    Past members of the Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre, a group run by the county council’s Music Service, have gone on to huge successes in the professional theatre and music world, including the lead parts in West End hits such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Mamma Mia.

    Liz Stock, Oxfordshire County Council’s Assistant Head of the Music Service, said: “Productions in previous years have been fantastic and I am sure that the current crop of talented performers from the Oxfordshire Youth Music Theatre will impress theatre audiences.

    “The county council’s Music Service works closely with the students in schools all over Oxfordshire in a variety of ways and this production is one example of how successful that partnership is.”

    Ticket prices start at

  • 18/04/12…Tribute to ex Mayor who fought for town centre Conservation Area

    THAME Town council has paid tribute to former town Mayor and GP, Dr Andrew Markus, who died on April 7.

    Dr Markus, was a Town Councillor from 1963 until the mid Eighties, and Town Mayor in 1969, and probably best remembered as a outstanding doctor and the man who fought the rapid growth of Thame. He was the driving force behind establishing Thame town centre as a Conservation area.

    In a statement today, Thame Town Council recalled Dr Markus reminiscing at the Town Hall in December 2008, when he received his Past Mayor?s Badge.

    “Dr Markus spoke of the early Sixties when he was a local GP. Two major issues had faced the town and he felt strongly about them both. The first was that Thame (which then had a population of about 5,000) was being given the choice of either rapid growth and getting sports and other facilities quickly, or growing relatively slowly but, as he considered, retaining the character of the town.

    ?The second issue?, he explained, ?was that developers were creating mayhem in the High Street, such as destroying the old girls? grammar school, and it was imperative that a Conservation Area be declared as quickly as possible.”

    “At first, he wasn?t sure whether, as a practising GP, he should take part in an election. In the event, Geoff Goodall (Headmaster of Thame Grammar School), Frank Bailey (Adult Education Tutor) Pip Whiteman (a local dentist) and Dr Markus all stood on these issues and were elected. Dr Markus proceeded to work very closely with the County Architect to establish the Conservation Area.

    “A keen cricketer, Dr Markus was also an influential member of the working party that set up the squash courts at Lord Williams?s School. ?He was a brilliant squash player,? remarked Honorary Citizen Cllr David Dodds this week, ?as I know to my cost!?

    “A talented photographer, Dr Markus travelled widely and returned with inspirational images; his work was exhibited at Thame Museum a couple of years ago. But it is perhaps Dr Markus?s passion and determination to create a Conservation Area that has most influenced Thame.

    “It is a lasting legacy for the town that he loved.
    The Councillors and staff send their condolences to Mrs Markus and family.”

    More information and a tribute to Dr Markus from Green Templeton College Oxford, where he was an Emeritus Fellow and Alumni
    ______________________________

    NB What are your memories of Dr Markus? Wendy from Thame, recalled how, when a young mum with two very young children, she was told she would have to go and see a Pediatrician at Stoke Mandeville hospital.

    Dr Markus apparently telephoned the hospital and asked “How the heck do you expect a young mum with a pushchair to travel with two young children on a bus?”
    Apparently, after that, the Consultant from then on came to Thame hospital to see his patient.

    PHOTO: courtesy of http://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk

  • 17/04/02…..What do you town councillors do for us?

    IF this is a question YOU find yourself asking, then the annual Thame Town Meeting is the ideal opportunity for you to get some answers.

    Residents can give their views about Thame and ask their representatives from the Town, District and County Councils anything they like, if they go along to the Annual Town Meeting next Tuesday, April 24, at 7.30pm, at the town hall.

    The meeting will be chaired by the Town Mayor, Councillor David Bretherton and all the electors of Thame are invited to take part.

    Why you should come!

    It?s bound to be lively with plenty of current issues to discuss. Helen Stewart, the Town Clerk, says, ?There is so much going on at the moment, with the Neighbourhood Plan and the uncertainties regarding the Cattle Market, to name just two!?

    What else?

    As the Draft Thame Town Plan reaches the final stages of development, Cllr Mike Dyer, will speak about ‘Neighbourhood Planning ? what?s it all about?’

    Trudy Godfrey, Economic Development officer at South Oxfordshire District Council, will present: ‘Thame?s Economy: could we do more? Tell us what you think.’

    And finally, a lady at the sharp end of Thame’s business community, Cat Young, Chair of the 21st Century Thame Partnership, will talk about ‘Thame For Business’ – what the partnership has been doing to promote ‘brand Thame’ and some new ideas to continue promoting Thame as a great place to visit, to live and to do business in.

    Want to know more?

    So come along and grab this chance to get your questions answered!

    Agendas are available from the Town Hall. Tel 01844 212833. email: clerk@thametowncouncil.gov.uk

  • 17/04/12…..What’s Maths got to do with Music?

    MUSIC is the expression of thoughts, ideas and feelings. Mathematics is the language of fact, rigour and knowledge. They seem separate, but they are linked.

    Want to find out how? Dr Thomas Woolley of Oxford University?s Mathematical Institute, will have you riveted to your seat, when he delivers another Pulse-Project Science Lecture at Thame town hall next Monday, April 23, at 7.30pm.

    Join him on a tour of only a few of these connections and leave with an appreciation of both maths and music.

    Who is Dr Woolley?

    Dr Woolley?s work mostly involves using mathematics to research the skin patterns of animals, but he also spends much of his time explaining mathematics to the ?man in the street.?

    He has been involved in a number of mathematical workshops, activities and talks for the public, such as the Mathemusica group which opened the Oxford Science Festival in March, with a performance fusing mathematics and music.

    ?As an academic I spend most of my time producing mathematics that very few people would understand,? says Dr Woolley. ?The goal is to push back the boundaries of knowledge, make the unknown known, and pure mathematicians aside, make the world a better place.?

    Free tickets are available from Thame Town Hall.

  • 17/04/12….Parking fine payment problems? Advice from CAB

    I got a parking fine after parking in a shopping centre car park. I had bought a ticket and displayed it on the windscreen but it must have fallen on the floor when I closed the car door as it was in the foot well when I got back. I can?t afford to pay the

  • 17/04/12…Bluebells arrive early in the Chilterns

    THE famous Chilterns bluebell woods are becoming covered with carpets of blue, and this weekend is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy them.

    This year the bluebells are slightly early because of the warm sunny weather in recent weeks. In the next few days many local woods will turn into a sea of blue, so get out there and make the most of them ? they will be at their peak for the next two weeks. Half of the world?s bluebell woods are found in the UK so this is a spectacle that is very special to this country.

    Some of the best bluebell woods in the Chilterns are:

  • 16/04/12….Old, unwanted tools could help others

    THE Rotary Club of Thame is asking the public to check their sheds and lofts and bring their old tools to the Market square car park, near the Market House, Montesson Square, on Saturday morning, on May 12, between 9am and 2pm.

    Every year the Rotary Club of Thame runs a collection point for unwanted tools. These are then taken to ‘Tools for Self Reliance’ at Netley Marsh near Southampton, the charity which refurbishes them and sends them to NGO’s (Non Governmental Organisations) in Africa. The NGO’s then distribute them free to men and women who can then use them to obtain work.

    Rotarian, Erroll Bateman, said: “The Rotary Club of Thame would like to encourage everyone to check their garages and lofts and bring their unwanted items to us to give the craftsmen in Africa a chance to put their skills to good use for the benefit of their community as we believe it is a worthy cause.”

    Here are a few examples of items to be collected:

    ?Sewing machines
    ?Blacksmiths tools ? especially anvils, leg vices, hand
    operated pillar drills
    ?Carpentry tools ? especially large carpenters’ vices,
    metal jack planes and tri-planes, drawknives;
    ?Engineering and Metalworking tools ? especially HSS
    twist drills, metric taps & dies, hand operated bench
    grinders;
    ?Bicycle repair tools ? especially spoke spanners;
    ?Shoe repair tools ? especially complete sets of individual lasts;
    ?Auto mechanics’ tools ? especially HD screw jacks, tyre pressure gauges, foot-pumps;
    ?Electrical repair tools ? especially multi-meters, Arc
    Welders (240V);
    ?Industrial quality power tools ? especially drills and
    bench grinders.

    The collected items will be taken to the very well equipped TFSR depot at Netley Marsh where they will be refurbished by a group of retired engineers, before being packed into containers for shipment to African countries. From the port of arrival they will then taken by members of the organisation to villages to help the people become more self-reliant.

    If you have got tools available to donate and you are not able to go on May 12, contact Thame Rotary via their website: www.thame.rotaryweb.org

  • 16/04/12….Robin’s family in bedside vigil

    THE family of Disco superstar, Robin Gibb, who lives in Thame, are at his bedside in a London hospital, where he is apparently in a coma.

    Robin seemed to be in remission from the cancer he was diagnosed with last year, but has now contracted pneumonia.

    Robin’s wife Dwina, his brother Barry, 65, and his three children, are widely reported as being at his bedside most of the time.

    Sadly, Robin was too ill to attend the London premiere of his classical piece, Titanic Requiem, last week, which he co-wrote with his son Robin-John Gibb.

    Brian and Louise Pattinson, who run the Book House bookshop in Thame, were lucky enough to have been invited to the launch of Robin’s Titanic Requiem, written in memory of those who drowned when the great ship of that name sank exactly 100 year-ago.

    Brian and Louise have spoken of “a very moving, and special event” that they were invited to share by Robin and Dwina, and described the emotional moments when Robin’s vocals in the piece were replaced by a recording, to the live accompaniment of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

    A message on Robin’s Web site, speaks for his many fans: ?We are all hoping and praying that he will pull through.?

    PHOTO; Courtesy of http://www.brothersgibb.org Robin and his son, Robin John, work on the recording of their requiem.

  • 16/04/12…. Thame gets ‘ the bird’ at Slimbridge

    LEAGUE match 14/4/12 – Slimbridge 2 Thame United 0 (away); Match report by Bob Dixon. THAME United travelled to Gloucestershire based, Slimbridge last Saturday where they were defeated 2-0. Although United had the bulk of possession they were unable to penetrate the home side?s well organised defence and did not really stretch the home goalkeeper.

    Thame had the better of the opening exchanges, and Luke Ricketts created a good chance when he hit a low cross hard across the goal which beat the keeper but Lewis Cordice narrowly missed knocking it in at the far post. The home side?s first goal came after 12 minutes with a sweet curled 20-yard shot from striker Alex Higgs. United pressurised the Slimbridge goal for the remainder of the half with Dan West and Luke Rickets going close. Te ball rarely left the home side?s half and Thame forced five corners to Slimbridge?s nil.

    Possession was more even after the restart. The home team?s second goal came in the 77th minute when, following a Thame attack, a long ball was played to substitute Jamie Martin who beat his marker and ran at goal before stroking the ball pass United?s keeper Mike Higgs. Minutes later Cordice was unlucky to see his scissors kick sail over the bar. Ben Gray also went close and, at the other end, Higgs made a good save to deny Slimbridge a third.

    Thame United: Higgs, I Pykett, Hall (P Pykett), Willett, N Rhodes, A Rhodes, Connelly, West, Cordice (Sykes), Grey, Ricketts.

    United face another trip to Gloucestershire next Saturday (21st), when they play their last game of the season at high flying Shortwood United.

  • 16/04/12….Sun, lightening, thunder & hail as Chinnor wins the day

    RUGBY: National 3 SW – Saturday, April 14, 2012: Chinnor RFC 30 Vs. Newton Abbot 5; MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bill O’Donnell.

    ALTHOUGH this 30-5 victory for Chinnor at Newton Abbot takes them another step closer to a promotion play off match, it will chiefly be remembered for its amazing weather conditions.

    Just two minutes into the match, which had started in sunny weather, the All Whites Mortimore was yellow carded for some misbehaviour at a scrum. Chinnor?s first score came in the eighth minute when a slick backs move saw Chase crash over for a try. Cathcart?s conversion gave Chinnor a 7-0 lead. On the 15th minute, a Newton Abbot infringement saw Cathcart increase the Chinnor lead to 10-0 with a penalty goal.

    At this point, the skies darkened, the lightning flashed and a thunderclap loud enough to wake the dead saw the start of a relentless hailstorm. Remarkably, the hailstorm continued for 20 minutes covering areas of the pitch with a layer of chipped ice. When the hail ceased, the rain came down hard for the remainder of the match.

    Needless to say, this extreme weather dampened down any sort of adventure. Chinnor began a pick and drive game and it took until the 30th minute for the next score, a penalty goal for Chinnor by Cathcart to increase the Chinnor lead to 13-0. Shortly before half time, Chinnor forced an overlap to allow Seymour a try in the corner. At half time, Chinnor led 18-0.

    Chinnor had most of the possession in the early part of the second half and were held up several times short of the Newton Abbot line. The pressure eventually told when the referee, Carl Bennett, trotted under the posts for a penalty try, converted by Cathcart on the 49th minute, to give Chinnor a 25-0 lead. It was then the All Whites? turn to exploit the weather conditions. A crossfield kick held up in a puddle in the corner and Newton full back Josh Smith just beat the cover to dive and slide the ball over for a try for a match score of 25-5 on the 60th minute.

    In the difficult conditions, both sides made a decent fist of the game but promising moves broke down with knock ons and dead stops of the ball in the many puddles. Chinnor, however, had the better of field position as they strived to gain the extra try for a valuable bonus point to further their chances of a promotion play off match.

    Chinnor brought on last Saturday?s Cup Final hero, Alex Woodhouse, who duly obliged in the 78th minute with the bonus point try for a final score of 30-5 to Chinnor.

    Newton Abbot, with several changes of personnel, battled well to contain both Chinnor and the weather. The Chinnor defence was solid for most of the match and they played the atrocious weather conditions well. Again the Chinnor back row, with Waddingham powerful throughout, played exceptionally well as did Trevor Powell, in for the injured Stoop. Powell?s ball retention and guile were important in combatting the conditions.

    If Chinnor can win their final league match of the season, at home to Chippenham next week, they will be playing in the promotion to National 2 South play off match at Chinnor RFC on Saturday, April 28. Their opponents will be either Tonbridge Juddians or Ampthill, both tied on 101 points and who, poetically, play each other in the winner-takes-all last match of their league season.

    Scorers:
    Newton Abbot: Smith T
    Chinnor: Chase T; Seymour T; Penalty T; Woodhouse T; Cathcart 2C, 2PG

    Chinnor team:
    Chase, Seymour (Woodhouse 60), Colver, Powell , Gray, Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Whelan 48) , Jackman, Smith, Harrison (Mowbray 48), Waddingham, Gilbert
    Replacements: Whelan, Mowbray, Woodhouse