Author: Sonja Francis

  • 18/08/11……CCTV image released following fuel theft

    THAMES Valley police has released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of fuel in Thame in July.

    The image shows a man wearing a white shirt, dark trousers and white shoes.

    On Saturday 30 July, the man allegedly stole fuel, a crime known as bilking, from the BP Garage, Park Street, Thame, while driving a black Peugeot.

    It was later established that the black Peugeot was being driven on stolen number plates.

    PC Emma Thompson, investigating the incident, said: ?I would like to hear from anyone who can identify this man or if they saw a suspicious vehicle fitting the above description in the Thame area.?

    PC Thompson can be contacted via the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505.

    If you don?t want to talk to police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

    SOURCE: Press release

  • 18/08/11…Have your say with Neighbourhood police officers

    A Have Your Say meeting is being held on Friday, August 26, at Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, between 11am and 1pm.

    This is your opportunity to speak with your Neighbourhood Officers to discuss any local issues of concern you may have.

    If you are unable to attend but wish to speak with your Neighbourhood Officers, please call 08458 505 505.

  • 18/08/11……Thame’s star pupils make the grade, and the town proud

    AFTER all the recent attention on the country’s young people for all the wrong reasons, a reminder that most teenagers are hardworking and ambitious comes today with the announcement of Lord Williams’s school’s A level results.

    From 574 examination entries, the pass rate this year increased slightly to 97.4%, the numbers of A*-C grades increased to 77% from 2010’s 73%, and the numbers of A*, A and B grades increased to 48%.

    Headteacher, David Wybron paid tribute to the achievements of so many students: ?The results are a very good reflection of the hard work students have put into their studies and sometimes remarkable determination to overcome difficulties. A certain anxiety has given way, for the majority of students, to relief and happiness with the achievement of excellent results. Those students are also grateful, I know, for the quality of teaching and support they have received during their time in the Sixth Form.?

    The following students achieved A* or A grades in three or more subjects: Alexandra Ballantine, Michael Beard, Ross Calvert, Kieran Calvert, Ben Carrington, Helena Byrne Stevens, Emily Garner, Jack Keen, Meghan Lowe, Olivia Massie, Alice Sacco, Amy Sandys, Charlotte Smith, Daniel Taylor-Abreu, Isaac Williams, Jake Wilson and Amelia Worley.

    This year four students, Antonia Cundy, Robert Jackson, Amelia Worley and Jonas Walters became the first students at Lord Williams?s to achieve the AQA Baccalaureate, which recognises a range of qualifications, including A Levels, an extended project and enrichment activities. Kieran Calvert also becomes Lord Williams’s second student to receive the Rycote Bursary from New College, Oxford to support his studies there next year.

    Kate Sheehan, Head of Sixth Form, was equally impressed with what students had achieved: ?Our students deserve to feel very proud of their results; the Sixth Form has equipped them with the necessary qualifications and skills to progress to university or to the world of work. We wish them all the very best of luck for the future.?

  • 18/08/11…..Could a 33-in-1 golf tool ever replace a full set of clubs?

    TO find out, Thamenews.net took two local golfers along to the Oxfordshire to play a round of golf on its beautifully manicured green to test out the latest of this type of gizmo, the Divnick, 33-In-1 golf club.

    Nick Kilner, a Farrier based in Chinnor, and Ian Jones, an expert in explosive devices who lives in Thame, agreed to test drive the Divnick, alternating with it and the appropriate golf club to make comparisons with the feel, range and accuracy.

    Before we find out what conclusion Nick and Ian came to after four and a half hours of playing on one of the best kept greens in the area, on one of the most beautifully sunny mornings all summer, here are the technicals.

    The Divnick works by adjusting to 33 different loft angles, enabling you to carry more than twice the number of allowable clubs in one hand. A gear system inside the heel tilts the clubhead in 1/2-loft increments, allowing golfers to choose from five putters, two drivers, three fairway woods, 14 irons, or nine wedges, with the twist of a dial.

    The maker claims that the club has the look and feel of a classic iron but its adjustable head quickly transforms it from a 64

  • 18/08/11….Thame on TV tonight!

    THE episode of Peter Andre’s programme, Here to Help, featuring his efforts to rejuvenate Thame carnival, is being shown this evening at 9pm on ITV2.

    The broadcast will coincide with the first in the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother, but anyone who misses Peter Andre will be able to watch the programme again on ITV2+1 on Friday evening and various times over the next few days.

  • 18/08/11…..Evening win for Thame United

    MATCH REPORT – Thame United 3, Wokingham & Emmbrook 2
    16/08/11-League: THAME United defeated Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-2 in an entertaining game at the ASM Stadium on Tuesday evening (16/08). The game saw the league debut of goalkeeper Nick Bennion due to an injury to regular keeper Milan Barisic.

    The game started fairly evenly but the visitors went ahead after 6 minutes, when Sam Whiting hit a strong dipping volley from 25-yards. Thame countered and equalised in the 19th minute. Ben Connolly collected the ball near the right corner flag, beat his man and ran along the by-line before cutting the ball back to Dan West whose first time 15-yard volley gave the visiting keeper no chance. United created some good chances with an Aaron Rogers header hitting the woodwork and Alex Stewart forcing a fingertip save from the keeper. Thame?s second goal came after 35 minutes. West collected the ball near the left corner and hit a cross which Rogers headed home from a seemingly impossibly acute angle. The home side?s third goal came just before the break, when a slick passing move involving Rogers, West and Connelly created the space for Rogers to fire home from 15-yards.

    The visitors brought on two substitutes for the second half but, although they looked stronger, their chances were few. Thame, on the other hand were creating chances but not taking them. Nik Rhodes, Rogers, Stewart, and West all had attempts on goal but they were either wide or saved by the busy goalkeeper. The visitors pulled a goal back in the final minute when the impressive Whiting ran on the left and hit a 20- yard screamer, giving Bennion no chance. Injury time was tense but Thame held out to take the points.

    Thame United: Bennion, Willett, Steedman Cowan), Brown (Mitchell), N. Rhodes, Hayes, Connelly, West, Stewart, Rogers (Dean), Ricketts.

    SOURCE: Contributed – By Bob Dixon

  • 17/08/11…..Cat missing in Longwick near Thame

    A CAT owner in Longwick, near Thame, is desperate to find the whereabouts of her pet cat, who went missing on August 12.

    Boo the grey and white fluffy moggie is 18 months old, and her owner, Terri Holloway, has had sleepless nights worrying about her.

    “To rub salt in the wounds,” said Terri, our other cat, Mia, is sleeping in Boo’s bed. We need to find her as her jabs and worm tablets are due.”

    If anyone spots Boo, last seen by Toll Bar, behind Claydons Place in Longwick, contact editor@thame.net who will pass on your details.

    PHOTO: Boo, the missing Longwick cat

  • 16/08/11….Pre-season friendlies at Chinnor Rugby Club

    WITH the beginning of the 2011/12 rugby season upon us, Chinnor Rugby Club, based in Thame, has two, pre-season friendlies arranged for the first & second teams. The first is this Saturday, August 18, at home v Cirencester. The second is on August 27, at home again against Tring.

    Jason Bowers has strengthened the coaching team with the addition of Mike Moran who takes charge of the seconds. First team players, Andy Smith and Matt Goode, will be assisting. Last season the club finished fourth with Hartpury College being outright winners and taking promotion.

    This season the club is aiming for promotion to Division Two (Level 4). So spectators can expect very competitive matches. The pre-season matches are free of charge with the added bonus of Lewis?s excellent beer and Jackie?s home cooking. A pie & pint for

  • 16/08/11….Thame market says ‘thank you’ to the community & to Peter

    THAME’S market traders repaid local people for their support today, with its now annual community fun day, giving local groups the opportunity to promote themselves with their own stalls, and providing non-stop fun the kids from street entertainers, face painters, giant slides and balloons.

    Among the community groups promoting their causes were The Thame Wombles,led by Michelle Diffey in Womble costume, the Thame Museum in the person of two supporters in 17th Century bonnets, and 21st Century Thame, promoting the Thame Loyalty Card scheme.

    Thame’s Town Crier, Anthony Church wandered around the town in his splendid regalia encouraging local shoppers to visit the market and the Mayor of Thame, David Bretherton, presented a pocket watch to Peter Hart on the card stall. Peter is retiring in a couple of months due health issues.

    Peter told Thamenews.net: “I am really chuffed, really ‘made up’ over this presentation. I have been coming to Thame market for 14 years. It will leave a bit of a whole in my life but I leave with some nice memories.”

  • 14/08/11……Thame United lose opening game

    DESPITE several promising signings and some encouraging pre-season performances, Thame United lost their opening league game 1-3 to Highworth Town at the ASM Stadium on Saturday.

    Last season the visitors finished six league places higher than Thame, but United did drew twice with them. It was therefore always going to be a tough game but after the first 10 minutes, Thame were ?on the back foot? as they struggled to create chances; the visiting goalkeeper was rarely tested and the result was a fair reflection of the game.

    Thame started brightly and took the lead in the 6th minute with some slick football. New signing Jon Steedman played the ball to Dan West whose pass to Aaron Rogers was brilliantly returned, finding West in enough space to comfortably side-foot the ball home from 8-Yards. The tide then turned and the visitors equalised on 26 minutes when, following a corner, Tony Joyce hit a 15-yard shot through a crowded goalmouth which seemed to take a deflection and beat Thame keeper Milan Barisic. Highworth took the lead shortly before half time when Danny Hilder found enough space to hit a spectacular, well-placed 25-yard shot pass a surprised Barisic.

    The second half saw the visitors continue to win more of the ball and lackluster United unable to penetrate their well-organised defence. Highworth increased their lead in the 75th minute when they broke quickly leaving the home side?s defence outnumbered and some smooth passing enabled Hilder to finish well from 10-yards.

    The game was not the start that Thame wanted or expected, but it is early days, and they will have learned from the encounter.

    Thame United: Barisic, Meredith (Willetts), Steedman, N Rhodes, Brown (Cowan), Hayes, Connelly, D. West (Dean), Stewart, Rogers, Ricketts.

    SOURCE: Press release
    PHOTO: Mark West