AN AUTUMN MEDLEY – By George Dorrell
Author: Sonja Francis
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23/09/11…..EVENT CANCELLED National Racketball Doubles at Racquets, Thame
THE National Racketball Doubles are to be held at Racquets Fitness Centre, Thame, on October 8-19, 2011; Sign up now!
Visit: http://racquets-fitness-centre.com/menus/main.asp?PN=Article&ID=307
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04/10/11….Erica aims to be a cut above the rest
DESPITE the current economic challenges facing businesses, there are still entrepreneurs out there with the confidence and willingness to invest in Thame.
An established hair salon in Thame is about to get a make-over following a transfer of ownership to one of its employees.
The Cutting Rooms, in Thame’s Buttermarket, is, as new owner Erica Grace admits, looking a little old and tired, but she has a vision to transform the listed building “sympathetically and tastefully” as well as re-decorating the salon itself in black, white and grey.
Since taking over the business from Jenny Hamilton in September, Erica has been working with local printer, Adam Weston from printing.co at Grow Marketing, to redesign the Cutting Rooms appointment cards and price lists, and is currently working with website developer, DM Construction to redesign and transform the salon.
The Cutting Rooms is Erica’s first business venture though she has worked as a Freelance hairdresser, and with other salons in the Amersham and Chesham areas. She told Thamenews.Net: “I want to make this establishment a good, all-round salon, something that’s a bit different but affordable too. We want to attract the older client who still wants sets etc, as well as younger people who want more cutting edge styling. We therefore employ both young and more mature stylists so can cover everyone – including men in the Barber’s shop section of the salon.
“Some might say its a bit of a gamble starting your own business in the current climate, but I have the enthusiasm, support and total confidence in my staff that we can move this business forward.”
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11/10/11….Doorstep crime warning
HISTORICALLY, October sees a substantial rise in Doorstep Crime throughout Oxfordshire. The following is a Community Message from Thames Valley Police, sent out on behalf of Oxfordshire Trading Standards.
Thames Valley Police and Trading Standards carry out routine patrols to protect vulnerable people from being cold called and then being bullied into having unnecessary work carried out on their property.
Please be extra vigilant and remember to report any doorstep cold callers as soon as possible to Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency number 08458 505 505 or to Oxfordshire Trading Standards 0845 051 0845 option 2.
Provide as much information as possible, time and date, include the location they are working at, name of the company or salesman, vehicle details, including registration number of the vehicle used and description of any other occupants.
If they offer you a flyer or leaflet, keep it as it may be of interest. All information will be dealt with in confidence and the caller may stay anonymous if they wish to do so.
Message Ends.
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11/10/11……Big thanks to ThameNews & Thame fire officer
Dear Editor, A very big thank you to Andy Ford from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue and Thame Fire Station for visiting us in Fanshawe Road today and installing a new smoke alarm with a 10 year battery. Some time ago I wrote to you describing the hazards faced by creaky senior citizens (like me) as we mount step ladders to replace spent batteries.
That letter was seen by one of your readers who mentioned it to the Fire Service, and today’s visit was the result of that. Unfortunately I haven’t the phone number of that lady, so I’m unable to obtain her permission to name her. However I hope she sees my thanks to her here. I should add that Mr Ford’s visit and the battery he supplied came entirely free of charge.
Norman Brand
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11/10/11…..Local charities win praise from the PM
A HOUSING charity with clients in the Thame area was praised by the Prime Minister last night, along with other charities and volunteers, at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards.
Soha Housing, which is the largest social housing provider in South Oxfordshire, managing 5,300 homes, won the award for Best initiative involving the statutory and voluntary and community sectors working together (sponsor Henmans).
The special event at Oxford Town Hall, hosted by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA), saw over 40 of the county?s volunteers and ten local charities receive certificates to honour their contribution. The Awards were presented by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Mrs Penelope Glen and Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Tim Stevenson OBE.
Charity of the Year went to Restore, which supports people with mental health issues. Benedict Leigh, Chief Executive of Restore, was overwhelmed by the Award, commenting: ?We are stunned and gratified. We wouldn’t be Charity of the Year without our great volunteers.?
Mr Cameron?s message to the audience said: ?Volunteers are the core of Britain?s civil society, an indispensable resource for the voluntary sector and in many public services. I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the outstanding work that Oxfordshire?s volunteers do. A strong voluntary and charitable sector is crucial to building a bigger and stronger society.
?My vision for the Big Society rests on the fact that in our communities there are individuals, like you, businesses and charities that are often better placed to confront the problems our country faces than the State. I want to take power out of the hands of bureaucrats and give it to the people working on the front line who know what is best for a service and who can help us provide better services more efficiently.
?I am sorry that I can?t be with you today at the Charity and Volunteer Awards but I do hope that you have an enjoyable day and thank you again for all your hard work.?
Soha proudly claims to offer: “A safer, cleaner, greener approach, increasing pride in neighbourhoods, reduces community conflict and demonstrates community cohesion.” Visit Soha’s website: www.soha.co.uk
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11/10/11….Funding for rural businesses
SMALL rural businesses and farms in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse areas are being invited to a special event for them to find out about support available to help them grow, and support their local economy.
The event is being held on Thursday, October 20, between 4.15pm and 6.30pm at Denman College, Marcham.
The Local Action Network Event will bring together rural businesses looking to develop projects which would provide a boost to the local area.
The event will give them an opportunity to find out about the Southern Oxfordshire LEADER Programme and the funding which is available, as well as hear about how the LEADER Programme has helped projects throughout the area.
The evening will provide details of how the scheme has already helped businesses in the area and guest speakers will be on hand to talk about how the funding has specifically helped their projects. Discussions will reflect on the programme?s activities since its launch in 2009, and the priorities for the funding that is still to be committed.
In 2009 the Southern Oxfordshire LEADER programme, a joint initiative involving South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, was awarded
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11/10/11…..Award nomination for county’s Fire and Rescue Service (Status: press release)
OXFORDSHIRE’S CFire and Rescue Service has been shortlisted as a nominee at this year’s Fire Fighters Charity Spirit of Fire Awards in the Brigade of the Year category.
The nomination is in recognition of the brigade’s money-raising efforts for The Fire Fighters Charity and its continued support of it.
Oxfordshire firefighters generated
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10/10/11….’The Core Strategy Remains A Threat’
Dear Editor, The meetings about the Thame Town Plan held over the past weekend were informative and thorough and I think the Town Council is to be congratulated on providing them. I found it especially useful ? and worrying – to discover that South Oxfordshire District Council?s Core Strategy is NOT dead. There have been reports in the past on the SODC preference for the pig farm off the A418 as the site for some 800 new houses, and on the Town Council?s preference for Site C in the South of the town, close to the Chinnor Road roundabout.
As I understood the meetings I attended at the weekend, the Core Strategy is to be the subject of an Inquiry, probably next Spring. The weekend consultations were held with a view to Thame?s drawing up its own Neighbourhood Plan, under legislation yet to be enacted. The idea is to have serious and convincing local proposals ready to put before the Planning Inspector, as an alternative to the Core Strategy.
I am happy to be corrected on any of this information, if I have misunderstood it. It is very complicated.
I was impressed at the extent of the detail of the weekend study and the consultants? grasp of Thame?s character and needs.
To sum up: as I understand the situation, it still remains a fact that Thame could be instructed to build 600 homes on the pig farm site, with the ?privilege? of deciding itself where a further 175 homes would be built. Everything depends on the Inspector?s ruling and on our Council?s ability to convince him or her that our alternative, when it is drawn up, is better.
A lot seems to be hanging on the new consultation. About 400 people attended these meetings. I wonder how many of those unable to attend are aware that the Core Strategy may be lying down for a while. But it is very much alive.
I think few may have argued against the need to provide homes for future generations. I certainly do not. But a disproportionate block influx of say, 2000 people, with their cars, maybe two per family, would put the quality of life, the traffic flow, the various services and above all the unique good humour and manners of the people of Thame to great strain.
Norman Brand
6 Fanshawe Road, Thame -
10/10/11….Thame come from behind to draw with Abingdon
LEAGUE GAME (away) – Saturday, October 8, Abingdon Town 1, Thame United 1. MATCH REPORT (Contributed)
THAME United returned with a point from Abingdon Town?s Culham Road Stadium on Saturday, having come back from behind to draw 1-1. It could have been so much worse as Abingdon created several good scoring chances in the first half, and if they had converted them would have been leading comfortably at half time.
James Keeble, recently signed from Chinnor, made his debut for Thame wearing the number nine shirt but playing in midfield.
Initial possession was fairly even but the home side were stronger in attack and hit the post after six minutes. In the early stages Thame were only playing with one striker, the hardworking Aaron Rogers, but as the game progressed he was joined up front by Dan West. Abingdon went close several times and the on-form Nick Bennion was kept far busier than the home keeper. Abingdon went ahead after 38 minutes when Phil Pykett was harshly judged to have handled the ball in the box, and a penalty was awarded. Striker Anacalet Odhiambo took the spot kick well, sending Bennion the wrong way.
Whatever was said at half time in the Thame dressing room worked, as they were far more effective in the second half. The first attack after the restart resulted in a good chance for West but his hurried shot was high. Then, three minutes later, United winger Matt Hall hit a powerful, quality, strike from 30-yards, which flew in off the underside of the crossbar. The roles were now reversed with Thame looking the more dangerous. Rogers was unlucky to see his shot tipped over by the home keeper. United were determined to get the winning goal and were unfortunate that the referee did not see two clear fouls in the box. Towards the end Alex MacDonald came on and United played with three strikers, but the score was still 1-1 when the final whistle blew.
The draw maintains United?s unbeaten away run and takes them up two places to 15th league position.
Thame United: Bennion, Little, P Pykett (MacDonald), Meredith, Steadman, Cowan, Connelly (Barr), West, Keeble, Rogers, Hall.
United have a series of home games coming up. They entertain Binfield on Saturday 16th, Kidlington on Tuesday 18th and Oxford City Nomads on Saturday 22nd.