Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 25/08/11….Two road traffic incidents keep Thame’s fire officers busy

    THAME’S retained fire offices have been busy this week attending two Road Traffic Collisions locally, one which left a man with very serious leg injuries.

    It took fire offices, some using a special rescue vehicle, over two hours on Tuesday (23/08) to extricate the driver of a car which collided with a coach in Thame Road, Oakley, close to Morgan’s Mini Diggers.

    Watch Manager at Thame fire station, Andy Ford, told Thamenews.net: “I would like to warn everyone that after hot, dry weather, when it rains all the grease rises to the surface and makes the roads treacherous.”

    Andy and his team had previously been in action on Monday (22/08) when a young female driver escaped injury when her car overturned on the A418 just past the Haddenham turn.

    That stretch of road was undergoing roadworks at the time and witnesses say there were pockets of gravel up to 3″ deep on the surface. There were 20mph signs at the time but the road was closed for the rest of the night after the incident until Highways Dept officers could inspect the road.

    IMAGE: Fire crew cut trapped driver from a car -(courtesy of Medicblog999 – for illustrative purposes only

  • 25/08/11…TV show upsets Thame residents

    THE TV programme that showed Peter Andre ‘saving’ the Thame carnival, has angered many residents who feel that the show badly misrepresented the town and its community.

    Almost all the comments on social networking sites where residents have been voicing their opinions, express anger and disappointment at ITV2’s ‘Here to Help’ portrayal of their town.

    Celebrity cook, Lottie Duncan reflected the views of many in her facebook posting following the programme last Thursday, August 18: “Thame was made to Look like a town that had lost it’s soul and community. A place where nothing is ever held and it’s people have no spirit. Enter Peter to save us. Er …. No thanks possum. As much as he is a lovely chap and I do like him, the producers had to have a story, some jeopardy and team Andre saving the day. But it was a nonsense and has done Thame no favours. Is this the same Thame that had an Italian Market last week and the one with an arts and literature festival? And don’t forget the huge Thame food festival in September!”

    Someone else who took part in the carnival said: “I was a performer that was involved on the floats and was disappointed that there wasn’t more footage of the other acts/floats/performers that were all involved in tonight’s H2H episode. I wrote to Peter about how it was portrayed wrongly on TV.”

    Some commentators were more pragmatic, including
    Beverly Cort. She said: ” …Petes management are obviously gonna make him look good. Look on the brightside it raised awareness of the Carnival and got it a lot of publicity.”

    Chair of this year’s carnival committee, Cllr Nicola Dixon, added: “Although the TV show wasn’t all we had hoped for, it has got us some extra volunteers for next year, so every cloud and all that!”

    To read more comments, go to: http://www.facebook.com/ThameTV

    What did the Thame business community think?

    Kristian Winslade, who runs Fore Golf in Buttermarket with his father, made his views clear on the Thame facebook page: ” His team….. was talking as though we’re a bunch of lifeless dead-beats; Thame has a thriving community; look at the music in the park for example, and I’m sure Peter would’nt be invited to play there! Overall I think the program gave a bad representation of the town. As a shop manager, I don’t think it did us retailers much good at all.”

    Someone else commented: “Personally speaking, as someone who holds a regular stall at the carnival, this year was not as good from a business perspective compared to past years. The people that were there (and I will argue about the 10,000 stated in the shows press release) hung around the stage waiting to see him and didn’t circulate.”

    More comments on: http://www.facebook.com/thametown

    WHAT did YOU think of the programme? Contact: editor@thamenews.net

    PHOTO: Alan Haigh, Headteacher of John Hampden School, receives the award for best Carnival entry from Peter Andre

  • 24/08/11…..Statement issued over Thame jobs losses

    FOLLOWING references on social network sites to redundancy notices being given to a reported 50 members of staff employed by Thame’s biggest employer, the company itself has issued a statement.

    Sarah Webster, PR Consultant to CPM, whose head office is in Aylesbury Road, Thame, told ThameNews.Net: “I can clarify that as an outsourced sales organisation providing staff to work in sales environments on behalf of a wide range of clients, CPM routinely up or down-scales its headcount in response to its clients? requirements.

    “The company is currently going through a consultation process with a number of its staff, but would not be legally permitted to comment further until that process is complete.”

    No one from CPM was willing to comment further at the time of going to press.

  • 24/08/11…Last minute goal leaves Thame all square with Henley

    MATCH REPORT: League match – 23/08/11, Henley Town 1, Thame United 1; A last minute Thame goal saw the points shared at Henley Town on Tuesday evening. It was no more than their performance deserved, but there were times when Thame?s travelling supporters thought defeat was likely, as United struggled to penetrate the well organised Henley Town Defence.

    The first half was goalless with United having the better of the first 15 minutes but then the home side coming back to put Thame ?on the back foot? for a lengthy period before the break. Neither goalkeeper was however really tested.

    Whatever was said in the Thame dressing room at half time worked as United dominated the second half. The ball did not leave the Henley half for the first 5 minutes and spent 70% of the remainder of the match there as Thame mounted attack after attack. Stewart forced a brilliant save from the busy home keeper, whilst a goal bound Dan West shot was just deflected wide. Henley were quick to break and, on 55 minutes, Nick Bennion did well to take the ball from the feet of a striker who was through on goal. After an hours play, following a Thame corner Henley broke on their left and. as Thame defenders ran to get back, the ball was played to Matty Jacobs who hit a first time shot from 15-yards, giving Bennion no chance. Thame again laid siege to the Henley goal with Aaron Rogers, Luke Ricketts, and west all going close but they could not find the goal as Thame struggled to penetrate the packed home penalty area. Alex McDonald came on the replace the injured Stuart and with 5 minutes remaining, he slid the ball to Dan West whose shot found the back of the Henley net, but the effort was ruled offside. In the 90th minute a close pass from West on the left found McDonald who calmly slid the ball pass the home keeper. After the celebrations died down Thame continued to attack, but the points were shared.

    Thame United. Bennion, Willett, Meredith, Steadman, N. Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart (McDonald). Rogers, Ricketts.

    SOURCE: Contributed by Bob Dixon

  • 23/08/11…Thefts from vehicles – Thame – COMMUNITY MESSAGE

    BETWEEN 21st and 22nd August, there were several thefts from vehicles in Berkeley Road and Roundhead Drive in Thame. Offender(s) broke into the vehicles and stole items including an Ipod and games console, which had been left on display.

    Please remind family, friends and neighbours NOT to leave anything of value in their vehicles. It is not just the loss of valuables, but the inconvenience and costly repair to your vehicle, having to replace broken windows and door locks.

    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 08458 505 505 and state you are responding to a Ringmaster message. Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    Message Ends.

  • 22/08/11…..Thame Utd kick Sandhurst out of the Cup

    MATCH REPORT (Contributed) Sandhurst Town 2, Thame United 3, F A Cup – Extra Preliminary Round, 20/8/11

    Thame United visited Sandhurst Town on Saturday and returned with a 2-3 win. The score line however flattered the home side, who had several key players absent due to injury. After a few minutes play, it was clear that United were the better side and as the game progressed, they created countless chances, only to see the final effort miss the target or saved by the home goalkeeper. Frustratingly, Thame hit the woodwork three times. Thame will visit Newport Pagnell Town in the next round on 3rd September.

    United took the lead after 13 minutes play when, after a Luke Rickets run on the left, the ball was knocked into the area by Mitchell Meredith and Alex Stewart, whist falling managed, to get a foot to the ball and knock it home from 10-yards. Thame were in control and Sam Cowan, Aaron Rogers, Nik Rhodes, and Ben Connelly all went close. At this point, the home manager was heard to shout to his players ?liven up – we could be 4 down?. His call was heeded in the 31st minute, when a good ball from the right found striker Jack Ball who deflected it home giving Thame keeper, Nick Bennion, on chance. The teams went in for the break with the score even, but United ?ahead on points?.

    Two minutes after the restart, Dan West hit the upright with a 25-yard shot. A few minutes later Matt Willet ran at goal and hit a shot from the same range to hit the other upright. Both Stewart and Rogers had good chances before United increased their lead, in the 70th minute. Willet collected a goal kick and ran at goal before passing to Rogers, in space, who finished confidently from 15-yards. Within 5 minutes, it was 1-3 after Ricketts delivered a perfect cross from the left and Stewart finished well from close range. With the next attack, Ricketts hit the crossbar from 20-yards. With 2 minutes to play, Bennion was harshly judged to have fouled and the referee awarded a penalty. This was duly converted, leading to a frantic last few minutes but the home side never came close to scoring an equaliser and Thame rightly progressed to the next round.

    Thame United: Bennion, Willet, Meredith, Steedman, N. Rhodes, Cowan (Hunt), Connelly, West, Stewart (Mc Donald), Rogers, Ricketts.

  • 22/08/11…..Brand new Extra Care housing in Thame coming soon

    SOHA, the local Housing Association, is to introduce its first Extra Care development for the over 55s at the new Windmill Place development in Thame.

    Soha Housing will have 10 spacious, one and two bedroomed newbuild apartments available for purchase through shared ownership, and 30 apartments for rent at the end of 2011. All the apartments are built to accommodate wheelchairs and will have fitted kitchens with integrated oven, hob and cooker hood, bathrooms with level access showers and flooring fitted throughout.

    The Extra Care complex is made up of 40 apartments built to a high specification. A showhome will be ready to view by the end of September 2011.

    Soha says that by purchasing through shared ownership, residents will have the ability to own up to 75% of the value of their new home at an affordable price if circumstances change, they can sell in the future. And, Soha may be able to help arrange the sale and find a buyer to make the move easier. Residents will have the option of renting an apartment if this is preferable and would suit them better financially.

    Windmill Place, which is being developed by David Wilson Homes, will give residents the benefit of a comfortable communal lounge, restaurant, hobbies and activity room, hair & beauty salon and landscaped communal gardens. There will be lift access to all floors and also a buggy store and charging area for convenience. There is also a guest suite available where family members or friends visiting can stay overnight.

    Soha’s Extra Care developments are an ideal place to live in a safe environment where you can join in activities that help maintain health and general well-being as well as meeting new companions in a friendly community of older people.

    If you are over 55 and thinking of moving home due to a change in your life, Extra Care housing offers you a new way to live independently on your terms, By supporting people towards an inclusive, fulfilling future, providing them with independence, dignity and security, being able to enjoy a comfortable and independent lifestyle is at the very heart of Extra Care living.

    Angela Clancy, Soha’s Home Sales and Marketing Assistant said: “Many people find, as they get older, that they need some help with mobility or day to day tasks but they wish to remain in their own home for as long as possible. Within one of our Extra Care developments you will have your own home within a secure environment and the added benefit of on-site care and support which will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The care is provided by on-site staff and is based on your own individual needs. As you will have your own front door you will be able to retain your own independent lifestyle but with the knowledge that you are in a safe and friendly environment with professional help when needed.”

    For more information on buying or renting at Windmill Place and Extra Care housing in general, call 01235 515900.

  • 19/08/11…Missing cat returns homes after six days!

    A cat owner from Longwick, near Thame, described herself as ‘tearfully happy’ today after her missing moggie turned up after six days.

    Terri Holloway told ThameNews.Net via twitter earlier today: “A very skinny bedraggled Boo arrived at 4.10 am today, tips of ears damaged but fine and hungry!!”

    18 month-old Boo went missing last Friday, August 12, after being last seen by Toll Bar, behind Claydons Place in Longwick, where she lives.

  • 19/08/11…..Will Thame sportsmen smash Guiness record?

    TWO racquet sports enthusiasts from Thame will attempt to smash the Guiness World Record for a squash marathon to raise money for Cancer Research.

    Guy Fotherby and Nick Wynd, both based at Racquets Fitness Centre, will aim to complete 30 hours of competetive squash against each other as they try to break a Guinness World Record ? currently standing at 26 hours 30 minutes.

    The pair will only be allowed a five minute break every hour and need to be in constant competition to break the record.

    If successful, Guy and Nick will raise more than

  • 18/08/11…Become a governor of your local NHS Trust

    NHS Foundation Trust: are you interested in becoming a public governor? Learn more about what becoming an NHS Foundation Trust means and/or the role of the governor, Thame Barns Centre, Church Road OX9 3AJ from 6.45pm to 8pm.

    Booking is not essential, but if you can confirm your attendance by calling 01494 734952 (130 4952) or email diane.hilson@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk