Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 05/05/11……Thame’s First Thursday Music Club promises surprises

    THIS Thursday, May 5, is already looking to be good night for the First Thursday Music Club, with Club favourites “Strings Attached” confirmed and promising some surprises!

    “We are also making a video this month at the club,” reports Founder-member Jon Littler. “You will notice Gary and his hi-def equipment roaming around and capturing the sights, sounds and smells of a club night. But he hopes to get more than that, much more.

    “After editing we will posting the finished film on YouTube and on the club website so people will be able to get a good understanding of the FTMC, its atmosphere, organisation, players and audience,” adds Jon.

    Visit the club’s website for more information about how to get involved:

    http://web.mac.com/jon.littler/The_First_Thursday_Music_Club/How_it_works.html

  • 05/05/11….Thame Reserves are champions

    THAME United reserves have convincingly won the Hellenic Reserve League Division Two (East) title and will therefore be promoted to a division one league next season.

    The photo shows reserve Manager, Richard Searl (left) and Chairman Jake Collinge holding the Champions Trophy which was presented to Richard on Mayday Bank Holiday.

    Due to injury, several reserve team players had been called upon to play for the first team throughout the season, but particularly during April. This complicated matters for Richard as the league schedule, coupled with cup runs and December snow, made it a busy last few months of the season with 2/3 of reserve games played after Christmas.

  • 05/05/11….Chinnor RFC Vets in the final!

    SEMI final of the Oxfordshire RFU Veterans Floodlit Cup
    May 4, 2011 – Chinnor Vets 36 v Oxford Harlequins Vets 12; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

    A couple of weeks ago at Iffley Road, Chinnor 1st team took on Oxford Harlequins 1st team in the final of the Oxfordshire RFU’s Senior Cup, the Chinnor team ended up winning 19 – 9. Last night Chinnor’s Veterans took on their Oxford Harlequins counterparts in the semi final of the vets cup to seal their place in the final of the Vets cup next Wednesday, the 11th at Iffley Road against Harwell Vets.

    There is an enormous rivalry between the two clubs built up over seasons, is normally a nip and tuck affair, however, just recently, it would appear that the Thame side are getting the upper hand! Between the 1st team and the Vets, throughout the season, Chinnor & Quins have played each other 6 times and Chinnor have yet to lose!!

    That said, the teams were closely matched, more so than first thought, with nothing to choose between the scrums and a fairly evenly matched set of backs, the difference was the lack of discipline from Chinnor, receiving 3 yellow cards to Quins 1 and the errors and mistakes that ensued from cards,disjointing the team and leading to Quins 2 tries.

    However, Chinnor did, in the end, show Quins how it was done with some well worked tries from some superb, flowing rugby, when the ball went to hand enabling Chinnor to run out 36 – 12 winners. On reflection it was a stilted performance from the Chinnor Old Boys with touches of real class, we can only hope for a more polished performance next week.

    So to the final, this will be the 3rd final in three years for Chinnor Vets having won the cup for the last two years, can they make it a third?? Completing the County Senior and Vets cup double for a second season would be a great feat for a village side!! The final is due to Kick off at 8pm.

    Tries from Simon Pearson, Gavin Wade-Williams, Bill Deeley & Ben Forward
    Conversions: Conor Begley

    Chinnor Vets Floodlit Cup Squad:
    Conor Begley, Steve Bridges, Jon Brooks, John Cann, Bill Deeley, Tim DeGlanville, Paul Fincken, Ben Forward, Nick Gyss, Bob Harris, Tony Howells, Doug Humphries, Giles Kidner, Kenny Lue, Simon Matthews, Andy Millburn, ‘Mad’ Mike Newman, Darren Oxley, Simon Pearson, Jerry Philpott, Steve Pile, Dave Ratcliffe, John Sellars, Andrew ‘Smudge’ Smith, James Tayler, Si Turner, Tony Wilkinson, Gavin Wade- Williams, Mike Wiltshire, Tim Wright, Dave Youens

  • 05/05/11……Driver sentenced for causing death of Thame teacher

    A 73-year-old woman has been sentenced for causing the death of Thame teacher, Ellie Bongers and her young son, in a collision in Tackley, Oxfordshire.

    Sally Rundle, of Oxford Road, Bodicote, was sentenced to 12-months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Oxford Crown Court today (5/5), after admitting two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

    Rundle was driving a Renault Clio along the A4260 at about 4.20pm on December 20, 2009, when she veered across the carriageway and crashed head-on into a Ford KA, which was being driven by Richard Gipps, who was in the car with his 33-year-old partner Eleanor Bongers and their son Joseph, who was aged 15 months.

    On impact, the Ford KA caught on fire and Mr Gipps, along with members of the public, managed to free his wife and son from the car. Eleanor was only freed from the car moments before it burnt out.

    The court heard that the actions of Mr Gipps and the members of the public gave Eleanor and Joseph the best chance of surviving, but Eleanor died on Christmas Eve and Joseph died on 5 May 2010 (aged 19 months).

    The investigation into the crash was carried out by the Thames Valley Police Road Death Investigation Team, led by PC Dave Mitchell and Sgt Jack Hawkins, which resulted in Rundle being charged in September 2010.

    At today?s sentencing hearing, Judge Mowat said the effect of the loss of loved ones upon a family was obvious, and that no penalty could recompense this.

    In addition to the suspended prison term, Rundle was also sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work and a lifetime ban from driving.

  • 05/05/11…..Thame Sports club entering stretcher carrying challenge

    RACQUETS Fitness Club in Thame are entering a team for the great ‘Phoenix trail stretcher challenge’ to raise money for the Scannappeal, on Saturday, May 7, and needs sponsors.

    The Racquets team will have to cover 6 miles carrying a “body” on a stretcher and undertaking various challenges along the route. Follow the link for more information to find out how you can support them and the Scannappeal cause. LINK

    PHOTO: courtesey of Glen Mitchell Photography

  • 05/05/11……..Investing in youth pays off for Thame Tennis Club

    THAME MixB started the summer season with a win over Oxford City. An eventful match in the heat was won 3-1. Team: Steve Nannery, Gertruud Van Dijken, James Fletcher and Ruth Tupper.

    For the first time, Thame D played three juniors in an Oxfordshire Men?s Division fixture, in an away fixture at Mapledurham. First pair John Ansell (c) and junior Oliver Picot won all four sets. Meanwhile Jack Fisher and David Bruggink halved their first rubber. In their second they again halved the first two sets, but lost a deciding third set by 7-5, giving Thame overall victory by 2

  • 04/05/11…..Second chance for help with sprucing up your shop front

    THERE’S a second chance to learn about Thame’s shopfront improvement scheme if you missed the recent talk at The James Figg, in Thame.

    SODC’s Conservation experts will be on hand to offer advise – as well as giving a facinating talk on the history of Thame’s shopfronts, with illustrations! And, there will be some great foody nibbles to tide you over until supper time.

    ARE you a Thame business owner considering smartening up your shop front or considering any of the follow?:

    ? repairs?
    ? re-instating original architectural features?
    ? repainting or re-rendering?
    ? pedestrian access improvements?
    ? new signage?
    ? new window display equipment?
    ? replacing external shutters with internal
    security grilles and or security glazing?
    ? lighting?

    Then 21st Century Thame might be able to help. This local partnership has secured some money from the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA)and South Oxfordshire District Council and is offering grants of up to 50% towards the cost of the work.

    Interested?

    Come along to our shop front workshop on Wednesday, May 4,at 6pm in the Stables, The James Figg, Thame, and hear more about it. You will find out about eligibility criteria, money available, decision-making process etc. You will also be able to talk to our conservation experts about your plans or ideas and get free planning advice if required.

    To register please email: caroline.wood@southandvale.gov.uk or call 01491 823313.

    Not free on that date?

    Not to worry! All information is available from:
    ? Caroline Wood, Shared Economic Development Officer, South and Vale district councils on 01491 823133 or email at caroline.wood@southandvale.gov.uk.
    ? Or pop-in to see Sonja Francis at ThameNews.net (please call ahead 07792 487030).

    Our conservation experts will also be back in the town for free planning advice in April and May (dates to be announced).

    Please note that closing date for application is 30 June 2011. So get in touch to register your interest as soon as possible.

    PHOTO: A Thame shop front made to look like an old camera shop for Midsomer Murders! (Now returned to its former glory as Rumsey’s in Upper High Street)

  • 04/05/11…..Thame music festival looks back to 1951

    THIS Sunday’s Music In The Park event in Thame, (May 8) has taken on special significance, as it has recently come to light that it is exactly 60 years since Elms Park was officially opened to the public.

    To celebrate that event, at 12 o’clock mid-day on Sunday, Olive, the granddaughter of Leonard Purser who gave the land to Thame for Elms park, his Great granddaughter Anne and Great-great grandson, Tom, will re-enact the official opening ceremony of June 9, 1951.

    MORE THAN JUST MUSIC

    ?Music in the Park” will offer a great deal more than just outstanding music on three stages!

    CHILL OUT IN THE HEALING AREA

    The Healing Area will feature professional practitioners in holistic health, yoga and massage. In addition, if you have ambitions for a career in music or other creative discipline, you?ll be able to attend coaching workshops aimed at providing useful career guidance.
    Keep the children happy
    Children will love their very own special area, which will include workshops where they will be able to make jewellery and fairy wings; take part in DJ workshops; get their faces painted; have a go on a bouncy castle and browse a great selection of Usborne books.
    Exciting trade stands
    A wide range of trade stands will offer a superb selection of goods and services including jewellery, glassware, hand-dyed textiles, preserves and jams, holistic health and beauty.
    Mobile phone recycling
    You?ll be able to hand in your old mobile phones for recycling to OxTreeGen. For every phone handed in, a tree will be planted in the Thame area and you?ll get a certificate of appreciation.
    Refreshments to keep you going
    A wide range of delicious savoury and sweet treats will be available, as well as great coffee and other beverages. In addition, the real ale tent will offer about eight real ales, including ?Thame Best?.

    PHOTO: The Unchosen who will be playing at Thame’s Music In The Park on Sunday, May 8.

  • 04/05/11…All set for Thame?s mass sport participation event

    THIS year?s Thame CPM 10km road race will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2011. Entry forms are available on the website of the organisers, Thame Runners:

    www.thamerunners.co.uk or runners can enter on-line at

    www.runnersworld.co.uk

    Over the years the Thame 10km has grown in size and complexity ? organisers had to impose a limit of 1000 entries from 2010 and that limit was reached by mid June last year. Runners wishing to take part in the 2011 event should enter early to avoid disappointment.

    The start and finish of the run is on the playing fields of Lord Williams?s Upper school by Thame Leisure centre. The course runs through the town centre of Thame to Towersey, and then back along the traffic-free Phoenix trail.

    There will be a children?s fun run while the main 10km is in progress, entries for which should be made on the day.

  • 03/05/11…….Join the Phoenix Trail Stretcher Challenge

    A fun, sponsored stretcher-carrying race along Thame’s Phoenix Trail, on May 7, will help raise much-needed funds towards medical equipment for local hospitals.

    Enter your team now for the race, which will start and finish at the Three Horseshoes pub in Towersey.