Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 21/03/11…..Shop vacancy boost for Thame

    THAME is bucking the trend when it comes to the number of empty shops in the town, a new survey has revealed, the number remaining vacant being well below the national average.

    The survey, carried out in February by the Market Town Co-ordinator for Thame Alison Isherwood, revealed that just three per cent of shops (or five units) in the town centre are currently empty. This compares to an average of 14.5 per cent for towns throughout the country, and with 98.6 per cent of the total available retail floor space (including vacant premises) in use the current situation is even more impressive.

    Despite the tough economic situation the number of empty units has continued to remain low and Thame has been buoyed over the last twelve months after a number of new businesses started trading in the town centre, including a new Sainburys store (in the premises formerly occupied by Woolworths), a Costa Coffee (on the High Street), Powder, Wallace Homes Boutique and White Lion Antiques.

    There has been even more good news for the town with hairdressers Eclipse moving to a larger unit on North Street and the vacant shop in the Shambles that they left behind taken up by a guitar specialist. On 17 March the town received a further boost after M&S Simply Food opened its new store adjoining the BP garage on the eastern edge of the town.

    According to research carried out by the Local Data Company one shop in every seven in Britain?s high streets is currently empty, however at a time when many towns are struggling Thame, with its distinctive independent retail offering, continues to buck the trend and attract new businesses and, similar to the other market towns in South Oxfordshire, maintains an impressively high number of occupied shop units.

    Cllr Rodney Mann, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: ?During these tough economic times it is a real boost for the people and businesses of Thame that the vast majority of shops in the town are occupied. High streets that show they are doing well are much more attractive to shoppers and potential investors than those with lots of empty units.?

    SOURCE: Press release

  • 21/03/11…..Thame teacher guilty of ‘inappropriate behaviour’

    A TEACHER sacked by a Thame school after several warnings about so-called ‘sex talk’ with students, has been banned from teaching for a year.

    On March 14, The General Teaching Council found Mr Norman Wright guilty of unacceptable professional conduct whilst employed at Lord Williams School, Thame, between September 2008 and September 2009.

    The Disciplinary hearing heard that Mr Wright, who taught Religious Studies at the school:

    i) had inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with pupils outside of school in the Autumn term 2008

    ii) had an inappropriate conversation with a teaching assistant in front of pupils, in the Autumn term 2008, in that he discussed matters of a sexual nature

    iii) acted in an inappropriate manner towards a pupil and put their health and safety at risk on 24 March 2009 by lifting them onto his shoulders

    iv) acted in an inappropriate manner in class on 01 April 2009, in that he removed his shirt in front of pupils

    v) acted in an inappropriate manner in a lesson in September 2009 in that as part of a lesson he told an anti-Semitic joke.

    In a statement, Oxfordshire County Council said: “When issues relating to his teaching arose, he was given support and appropriate action was taken. After a series of warnings he was dismissed from his post in October 2009.?

    The GTC found other allegations against Mr Wright, including that he had told an offensive joke about the death of Jade Goody, not proved.

    PHOTO: Courtesy of www.lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

  • 21/03/11…Thame Senior Citizen who was at the relief of Belsen dies

    ONE of only three people of Thame with the official title of Honorary Thame Citizen, Len Webb, has died at the age of 89.

    Len was a much loved and respected long-time resident of Thame, who as a councillor, four-times Mayor, and instigator of so many Thame institutions, became one of the most recognised figures around Thame, especially in his latter years when he was to be seen around in his mobility scooter ready to chat to everyone who knew him.

    Len Webb was made the first Honorary Citizen of Thame in December, 1999, in recognition of his long, exemplary and outstanding public service to the people of Thame, both as a citizen and a councillor.
    His achievements include:
    * Serving from 1969 to 1995 as a Thame Councillor
    * Serving from 1977 to 1991 as a Thame District
    Councillor
    * Mayor of Thame from 1975 to 1979 and Deputy Mayor
    on two occassions
    * School Governor of John Hampden school in 1969,
    serving for 26 years, including as Chairman from
    1975 to 1990
    * Helping to set up and Chair ‘Thame In Bloom’
    * Setting up and chairing Thame Carnival for many
    years
    * Setting up and Chairing Thame PHAB Club for the
    Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied, for many years
    * Becoming a Trustee of The Thame Barns Centre in
    1990
    * Chairman of The Friends of Meadowcroft in 2000
    * Chairing the Thame Golden Jubilee Festival
    Organising committee 2002

    Len was also responsible for setting up the first Thame & District Twinning Association when the town was twinned with Nontron, and the Thame Citizens Advice Bureau. When the Princess Royal, Princess Anne opened the premises of the CAB in February 1995, Len was there to greet her. Previously, in 1985, he was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret to Thame, when she opened the new Health Centre.

    Len joined the Boy Scout movement when he was eleven years old, going on to become Scout Master and finally Assistant District Commissioner until retirement aged 65.

    Len would sometimes recollect his memories as a young army driver during WWII when in April 1945, he was assigned to Brigadier Glyn Hughes CBE,DSO,MC,FRCGP, who was the medical officer in charge of the liberation of the notorious Belsen concentration camp.

    Fellow Honorary Thame Citizen, Town and District Cllr David Dodds, who worked with Len on Thame Council for many years, said: ?With Len, there was no politicking; he was straight, direct and honest in all his council work. He was also determined to see things through. A broken leg was not going to stop him enjoying one of his civic balls.?

    Len will be remembered by his family and community as a stalwart and loving believer in the importance of community involvement.

    PHOTO: Len Webb, who died last Saturday, March 19, photographed at what was to be one of his last outings, to the Thame Remembrance Day service in Thame back in November, 2010, proudly wearing his service medals.

  • 21/03/11…Zimbabwean cricketer threatened with the death penalty tells his story

    HENRY Olonga is the Zimbabwean cricketer who donned a black armband at the 2003 World Cup in a dramatic protest against Robert Mugabe.

    As a result of this simple demonstration, Henry was branded a traitor, threatened with the death penalty and forced to flee.

    On March 26, at St Mary’s Church, Thame, Henry will tell the story of life in a country ruled by a tyrant, of his battle to reach the top as a black cricketer and, ultimately, how he sacrificed that position in order to make a difference.

    Henry Olonga put his life at risk and has now made a new life in England where he is pursuing a career as a singer and artist.

    Come and hear his extraordinary story as well as some of his songs. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask Henry questions.

    Tickets to the evening are

  • 21/03/11…….Theft from vehicles warning for Thame

    [Reference: M 21/03/042] This is a Community Message from Thames Valley Police.

    THEFT FROM VEHICLES

    Between 18th & 19th March there were theft from vehicles in Oxford Road, Towersey Drive and Bell Lane in Thame. Property stolen included a Sat Nav, Ipod and a small amount of cash.

    The police are advising residents to be extra vigilant at this time. If you see any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, please call the police on08458 505 505and state you are responding to a Ringmaster message. If you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    Message Ends.

  • 21/03/11….Another win for ‘improving’ Thame United

    THAME United 3, Kidlington 1 League match 19/03/11 – MATCH REPORT – Contributed by Bob Dixon

    THAME United defeated second placed Kidlington at the ASM Stadium on Saturday in a close and entertaining game. With most first team regulars now recovered from injury, Manager Mark West was able to field a strong team, which grew with confidence as the match progressed. Playing his third game for Thame, James Faulkner had an excellent game, and was chosen as man of the match.

    The first half was goalless, although there were chances at both ends. A Kidlington header hit the woodwork after 5 minutes and later Thame keeper Milan Barisic was forced to make a quality save from visiting striker Anaclet Adhiambo. At the other end, The Kidlington keeper did well to save a Luke Rickets shot and to push a close range Faulkner header onto the crossbar.

    Thame took the lead six minutes after the restart. Stuart Barr hit an inch perfect free kick on the left to the far post where Martin Brown rose to head home. United?s second came in the 64th minute. Alex Stewart juggled a Barr throw in and knocked it to substitute Mitchell Meredith, unmarked on the edge of the area, who hit a strong shot giving the keeper no chance. The visitors lost a man in the 70th minute when Danny Mason made a late tackle, and was dismissed for his second bookable offence. Despite being a man down, Kidlington pulled a goal back, with 10 minutes remaining, when Adhiambo knocked the ball into the path of Ryan Curtin who slotted the ball pass Barisic from 10-yards. The visitors pressed for an equaliser and Barisic was forced to make another excellent save. As Kidlington pressed, they became vulnerable to Thame a counter attack which duly came in the 90th minute when Faulkner ran at goal before squaring to Substitute Conor Hunt who knocked home from 8 yards.

    Overall, it was an encouraging performance from an improving Thame side that can be proud of their win.

    Thame United: Barisic, Barr, N Rhodes, Saulsbury, Brown (Newell), Hayes, Connelly, Braun (Meredith), Stewart (Hunt), Faulkner, Ricketts.

  • 21/03/11….Chinnor RFC ‘do just enough’ to beat Oxford ‘quins

    NATIONAL 3 SW – Saturday 19th March 2011 – SCORE: Chinnor 30 Vs Oxford Harlequins 22; MATCH REPORT (Contributed by Bill O’Donnell.

    IN a harum-scarum type of match with the lead changing hands 5 times, Chinnor did just enough to beat local rivals Oxford Harlequins 30-22.

    Ricky Hopwood was moved to full back and Toby Prescott came in at scrum half. With Baz Corpe down under, Jack Green took the 14 shirt and James Serrano came in at inside centre. Ed Rixon retained the number 8 position..

    The first score came in the sixth minute when James Cathcart, for the home side, converted a penalty goal attempt for a 3-0 lead. From a Harlequins kick to touch, Chinnor?s quick throw in went badly wrong when a pass went to no-man?s land. Quins responded quicker to the loose ball and winger Harry Burns touched down for Harlequins first try to make the score 3-5.

    When pressing around the Quins 22 metre mark, Chinnor threw a speculative pass which was seized by the visitors. The ball was worked to Quins outside centre, Xavier Andre, who powerfully weaved through the Chinnor defence to score under the posts in the 22nd minute. Jeff Stewart?s conversion put the visitors 3-12 ahead.

    Chinnor hit back almost immediately when Prescott, playing a one-two run around, burst through midfield. Although the initial attack was momentarily halted, Matt Goode picked up the ruck ball to blast over in the corner to make the match score 8-12.

    Some two minutes later, Prescott repeated the trick to bring Richie Williams in from the wing. Two sharp passes found James Serrano who bashed over for a try, converted by Cathcart, to put Chinnor back in the lead at half time by 15-12.

    Cathcart increased Chinnor?s lead to 18-12 with a well struck penalty goal. Harlequins came back immediately when another wayward Chinnor pass found the visitor?s fly half, Jeff Stewart, who scorched over for Quins third try to pull the score back to 18-17 in favour of the home side. However, Quins went back into the lead just two minutes later when, on the 46th minute, Quins took a quick tap penalty and Andre again ripped through the home defence to touch down for Harlequins to lead 18-22 and gain a bonus point.

    For the next 23 minutes, both sides battled for the match and did well to keep their opponents from scoring. However, after sustained pressure in the Quins corner, Chinnor switched the ball along the line for Williams to squeeze in at the corner for an unconverted try. The match score was now 23-22 to Chinnor with 10 minutes to play. Chinnor kept the pressure on and it finally paid off in the final minute when Vickers burst through a gap in the centre of the pitch to eventually feed Prescott whose 30 metre sprint to the posts led to Chinnor?s bonus point try. With the formality of the conversion achieved by Cathcart, the referee blew for no side and a 30-22 victory for Chinnor.

    This was a match of attack and counter attack ? Chinnor attacked and Quins counter attacked. Chinnor will rue the three tries that came directly from gifted ball to the opposition. Quins take great credit for their speedy counter attack style which requires pace and precision of execution. Centre Xavier Andre showed how to run in ball from distance. Chinnor struggled to impose structure on the game until the last quarter whilst Quins were happy with a speedy wide attack of a disorganised defence. Hastings and Smith had strong games for Chinnor but the difference between the sides was Chinnor?s Toby Prescott. His penetration of Quins back line defence led directly to two tries and his own alertness and speed led to the bonus point Chinnor try in the last minute which put the game beyond Quins reach.

    Scorers:
    Chinnor: Goode T; Serrano T; Williams T; Prescott T; Cathcart 2C, 2PG

    Oxford Harlequins: Burns T; Andre 2T; Stewart T,C

    Chinnor team: Hopwood, Green, Goode, Serrano (Chase 48), Williams, Cathcart, Prescott, Stock (Pickett 57), Cawston, Winpenny, Jackman, Smith, Vickers, Hastings, Rixon (Mowbray 57)

    Replacements: Pickett, Mowbray, Chase

  • 19/03/11…Songs and music of the landscape

    WITCHERT Chorale and Friends Mountains: Songs and Music of Landscape, Rivers and Valleys; St. Mary?s Church, Haddenham 7.30pm. Tickets

  • 19/03/11……..Exciting match for Chinnor against local Division rivals

    CHINNOR RFC’s match on Saturday, March 19, should be an exciting one. They will be playing local rivals, Oxford Harlequins.

    The two teams are currently 5th and 10th in the National Division 3 SW.

  • 19/03/11…..Thame man arrested in paedophile ring smash

    A 19-year-old man from Thame is among 180 people arrested in 30 countries, as part of Operation Rescue which has smashed the world’s biggest Internet child sex ring.

    Thames Valley Police have confimred that the man was arrested on suspicion of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children on January 9.

    The operation was led by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and centred around a website, since taken down, where the abuse of babies and children was discussed.

    More arrests are expected in Britain, which CEOP says could amount to 1,200 people.

    The man has been bailed until May 9.