Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • 08/02/11…..Fair result for Thame United despite the wind

    MATCH – February 5, 2011; THAME UNITED 0 Vs Wantage Town 0; MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

    IN front of over 180 spectators, United came away with a creditable draw against high-flying Wantage Town on Saturday afternoon.

    As with the reverse fixture earlier in the season, the quality of the game was significantly affected by the windy weather conditions and, whilst it was the same for both sides, neither Thame nor Wantage could master the conditions to their advantage. Nevertheless, that did not detract from an attractive, attacking game of football where a draw was a fair result.

    Thame opened the game brightly, with wingers Luke Ricketts and Ben Connelly causing the visiting defence problems down the left and right respectively. However, neither were able to create a goal scoring opportunity for lone striker, Alex Stewart, who was playing at the front of a new 4-5-1 formation. That said, the best opportunity fell to Stewart on 15 mins, who did well to initially control a cross from Connelly but was unlucky not to get his shot away before Stuart Cattell, the Wantage centre back, got a foot to the ball. Wantage themselves were not without their goalscoring opportunities with Barisic in the Thame goal saving well from Adam Bruce. As the first half drew to a close, both sides survived penalty appeals.

    With the wind at their backs in the second half, Wantage were expected to press the Thame defence heavily and the early moments of the half suggested this would be the case with both Richie Claydon and Ellis Langford going close. However, the home side were also looking more dangerous and after 57 minutes Ricketts was unfortunate not to connect with a header from a Connelly cross. Five minutes later and the same combination saw Ricketts control a cross on the edge of the six yard box, only to see his powerful drive parried for a corner by Gareth Tucker in the Wantage goal. With the game drawing to a close, Wantage had the best opportunity to take the points when Claydon forced a fine save from Barisic and the follow-up shot from Tom Butler clipped the woodwork and went wide.

    As it was, a draw was a fair result, as Thame achieved their fourth clean sheet in their last five league outings. Next visitors to the ASM Stadium are Binfield this coming Saturday (3pm kick off).

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

  • 09/02/11……….UPDATE : Row brewing over unauthorised fence

    THAME Town Council have decided to instruct the Montrose Way resident to remove the offending fence, return the area back to grass and to take legal advice.

    The erection of the fence is going to SODC for Planning consent and meanwhile, the resident has said that he realises that he had breached a council rule and was willing to remove the fence now, having erected it “in good faith.” He cited anti-social behaviour, particularly young people playing with balls as his main reason for erecting the fence.

    08/02/11………..FED up with Thame residents extending their boundaries by building fences that encroach on council-owned green and open spaces, Thame Town Council has decided to act.

    A resident in Montrose Way, Thame, has built a fence that is over the 2m permitted without gaining Planning Consent, replacing a row of conifers, on the Lenthall Green side of his property.

    The council says that an unlawful act has been committed and at tonight’s meeting of the full council will decide what to do about it.

    The council’s options are to instruct the resident to remove the fence and return the area to grass, to allow him to keep the fence and charge a fee to transfer ownership of the land or to take no action and send a letter out to all residents warning that legal action will be taken for enclosing common land to form an extention to a domestic garden.

    PHOTO: Fence panels similar to those erected between a property in Montrose Way, Thame, and Lenthall Green

  • 07/02/11….In defence of standing against ‘injustice in Egypt’

    Dear Editor, STANDING IN DEFIANCE OF INJUSTICE IN EGYPT – A Statement from the Oxford University Islamic Society and Partners – (OXFORD, 2/2/2011):

    “The Oxford University Islamic Society, alongside other Oxford University societies and their academic partners both within Oxford and beyond, unequivocally condemn the Mubarak regime and support the will of the Egyptian people for freedom, dignity, and human rights.

    “For 30 years, the despotic regime of Hosni Mubarak and his gang have mercilessly ruled Egypt. Under the guise of a three-decade state of emergency, which suspends constitutional rights, extends the power of
    the police, and legalizes media censorship, they have created a police state to perpetuate their power. They have brutally opposed any who would stand in their way by means of coercion, intimidation, and aggression.

    This ruling junta has flouted basic human rights, denying Egyptian citizens freedom of speech, equal protection under the law, freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention, freedom to peacefully assemble, and the right to choose their representatives. Mubarak and his party have established corruption, mistrust, and enmity within Egyptian society.

    “On 25 January 2011, the Egyptian people took a stand. United, they rose up against the fear that had been the regime’s most potent weapon. This is not the movement of a secretive, organised opposition
    interest, but a collective of wide swathes of Egyptian society united in their will for a new tomorrow. Courageously risking their lives and livelihoods, they have come together to protest the chronic tyranny,
    injustice, and oppression under which they have lived for the past 30 years. As a result of brutal attempts to stifle the uprisings, many have died?UN estimates suggest that nearly 300 people have lost their
    lives, and nearly 3000 more have been injured since demonstrations began, and these numbers are climbing daily.

    “Despite these dangers, throngs continue to protest the rule of Hosni Mubarak in cities and towns across Egypt. While he has made several substandard attempts to placate the demonstrators, Mubarak continues to defy the ultimate will of the Egyptian people that he step down and leave Egypt immediately. In his last grasps at the power that is quickly escaping him, this
    cowardly dictator has enlisted thugs and mercenaries to sabotage the unity of the demonstrators and to attack innocent men, women, and children who are defending their dignity.

    “We join the Egyptian people in peacefully demanding that Hosni Mubarak forfeit the office of the President immediately, and that the state of emergency be lifted promptly. Furthermore we support the call for free
    and fair elections to be established in Egypt as soon as possible.

    “Finally, we condemn the use of violence or destruction of property by any party and echo the call for Mubarak to meet the demands of the Egyptian people without delay so that a new just and peaceful order
    can be established in Egypt.

    “The Oxford University Islamic Society is one of the largest and most active student societies in the University. It’s members are actively reporting on the protests in Egypt, including live reports from the
    street via twitter (@aishasaad)http://twitter.com/#!/aisaad and the
    mobilization of over 399,000 facebook supporters in its Virtual March
    of Millionshttp://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126197157451259

  • 07/02/11……..Local landlord?s national accolade

    OXFORDSHIRE housing association, Soha Housing, has been shortlisted for a national customer service award. Soha, the major social housing landlord in Thame, now goes head to head against Boots, RBS International, Scottish Water and Volkswagen UK at the awards finals on March 22.

    The Institute for Customer Satisfaction has chosen the five finalists for its Best Customer Satisfaction Strategy award.

    Director of Customer Service and Operations at Soha, Maureen Adams (pictured), said: ?This is a significant tribute to the work of our Customer Services team who handle our calls and our full staff group who make customer care a priority. We are up against some major names, all with a much wider geographical remit than Soha’s. So whilst we deliver services to only 12,000 plus residents across Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, a professional judging panel thinks we do it just as well as these larger companies.

    ?However exciting it is to get this external acknowledgement, the acid test is what our customers think. An independent survey of residents recently found that 91% of them are satisfied with Soha ? our highest ever satisfaction rate.?

  • 07/02/11…………Top seasonal score for Thame Netball Club

    MATCH REPORT – Thame Netball Club, Wednesday 02/02/11 – Tornadoes 44 V Wasps Stingers 25. (Contributed)

    TORNADOES achieved their best score of the season on Wednesday night, beating Wasps 44 ? 25. They demonstrated some outstanding netball and the win was the result of a great team effort. Wasps fought hard throughout the game but Tornadoes were on fine form. Excellent mid-court play and passing into the circle allowed Tornadoes to creep ahead.

    Emma Young has a fantastic game at WA and her feeding into the circle was superb. Tornadoes kept the pressure on throughout the game and forced errors by Wasps. They were able to capitalise on this and once the ball was in the circle they made the most of every scoring opportunity. Player of the match was awarded to GS Lauren Fairbrother who played an excellent game and demonstrated some exceptional shooting. The win makes it close at the top of the table and means Tornadoes are still in with a chance of promotion.

    Team: Hannah White (captain), Sheena Maguire, Karen Fowler, Lisa Sydenham, Emma Young, Lynn Palmer, Sarah Piddington, Helen Hann and Lauren Fairbrother.
    Thame Netball Club has been funded by The Oxfordshire Community Foundation Grassroots Grants Project for the 2010/11 season.

  • 07/02/11…………Chinnor RFC strike a blow against Cheltenham

    MATCH REPORT: National 3 SW – Saturday, February 5 – Chinnor RFC away to Cheltenham (Contributed)- SCORE: Cheltenham 7, Chinnor 18.

    IN a howling gale reminiscent of a home match, Chinnor eventually overcame a competitive Cheltenham side at the Prince of Wales Stadium by 18 points to 7.

    With Matthew Hutchings now out until next season, Joe Winpenny captained the Chinnor XV. After last week?s bright start, Andy Berry was preferred at tight head with Ed Devine replacing the unfortunate Hutchings.

    Play started with Chinnor losing the toss to play with the gale like wind at their backs. Cheltenham?s aggressive defence, particularly at the ruck, confined Chinnor, in the first quarter, to a number of long range penalty attempts which proved unsuccessful.

    In the 18th minute, Chinnor thought they were in with the first score of the match when Morgan?s final pass was cynically batted away by Cheltenham winger Jack Davies, who earned a yellow card for the misdemeanour. Cathcart converted the penalty kick to open the scoring 3-0 to Chinnor.

    Cheltenham were not to be denied and used their pick and drive game to great effect. Pressing the Chinnor line, the ball was turned over by Chinnor to allow a prodigious 70 metre kick from Cathcart. With Chinnor recovering the ball, a series of rucks eventually freed the ball to Goode to power over for the opening try on the 28th minute. With Cathcart?s conversion, Chinnor now led 10-0. A further penalty just before half time by Cathcart allowed the visitors to go in 13-0 ahead.

    With the wind now at their backs, Cheltenham began brightly from the whistle. A long series of pick and drives eventually got Tigers? lock Joe Garner over the whitewash on the 45th minute for Cheltenham?s opening score. With the added points from Wilcox, Cheltenham were back in the match at 7-13. They continued to compete aggressively and only smart scramble defence from the visitors denied the home side a score. Despite this pressure, Chinnor scored the next try after a series of smart rolling mauls well organised by replacement hooker Cawston. Driving to the Cheltenham line, the ball was worked wide to Williams who tried to work his way inside his defender. The ball was lost backwards and a sharp pick up and acceleration to the line by Corpe put Chinnor 18-7 ahead on the 55th minute ? which proved to be the final score.

    Matches played under extreme weather conditions are always unpredictable and both sides managed the conditions well. The Cheltenham pack was quick, organised and aggressive at the breakdown and caused Chinnor problems all day. They certainly didn?t play like a pack flirting with relegation.

    Chinnor worked some useful positions, particularly down the right hand side, but were prone to a degree of panic with the last pass.

    For Chinnor, Cathcart managed the game well and some prodigious kicks took the pressure off the visiting side. Berry seems to be adapting well to the tight head role and made some good tackles and turnovers. Great praise is due Cawston for his covering both the tight head and hooker positions with distinction and Hastings who moved from the No 8 position to inside centre, with some skill, when Goode had to retire. Devine?s tackling was a bonus and the back row seem to be a nicely balanced unit with a crafty Harrison, a rumbustious Vickers and a dynamic Hastings.

    The player who contributed most to the Chinnor victory, however, was Andrew Smith (pictured) who continually stopped anyone coming through, took the ball up muscularly and tidied up anything that looked messy ? an all round athletic and powerful display.

    Scorers:

    Cheltenham: Garner T; Wilcox C
    Chinnor: Goode T; Corpe T; C, 2PG

    Chinnor team: Williams, Morgan, Goode (Cawston 73), Angell (Green 59), Corpe, Cathcart, Hopwood, Winpenny (c), Tattersall, Berry 32, Devine (Mowbray 55), Smith, Vickers, Harrison, Hastings

    Replacements: Cawston, Mowbray, Green

  • 07/02/11….Countryside group celebrates 80 years of campaigning

    THIS year, 2011 is an important year for CPRE Oxfordshire, since it is the countryside campaigning group’s 80th anniversary (1931-2011). As well as planning several celebratory events throughout the year, CPRE (Campaign for the Protection of Rural England) Oxfordshire has relaunched its wwwcpreoxon.org.uk

    LATEST CAMPAIGN BRIEFING (Contributed)

    “Oxford City Council?s Core Strategy was finally approved late in 2010 (the Planning Inspector’s final report was released on 21 December). CPRE has expressed its disappointment that the Northern Gateway has been given the go-ahead.

    “CPRE has submitted its response to the County Council?s planning application for an extension of the Thornhill Park and Ride, expressing concern that expansion at Thornhill risks ?urbanising? this part of the Green Belt.

    “CPRE has confirmed its support for the local campaign against the giant wind turbine proposed for Horspath, alongside South Oxfordshie DC and John Howell, MP.

    “CPRE is disappointed at the Inspector’s decision to approve Viridor’s application for an incinerator at Ardley. County Councillors had originally refused plans for waste firm Viridor to run a plant at Ardley in north Oxfordshire, but the company appealed in January 2010, prompting a public inquiry last summer.

    “The Government is pushing ahead with first part of the route for HS2 from London to Birmingham and a major consultation is expected in February. The planned route of the high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham has been altered after protests about its impact on the countryside, but the plans still raise many major environmental issues. The route through Oxfordshire has been moved further east of Mixbury, thereby reducing its local impact somewhat.”

    For more information about these and other issues see: CPRE Oxfordshire website

  • 07/02/11……..Thame Boys in Seventh Heaven (Contributed)

    THAME BOYS 7 v Chinnor Youth 2; Sunday, January 30th:

    THAME Boys completed the double over Chinnor in fine style with a result that didn’t reflect the dominance that Thame had in this entertaining game. The manner of this victory was a reward for all the hard work put in by Thame Boys in training this season. The passing was a joy to watch and the tenacity as an added feature, exemplified by Louie Butler, Thame’s man-of the match.

    Thame had six different names on the score sheet demonstrating the options available to the coaches and the team work ethic now instilled in this exciting squad of young players.

    After a scrappy first 10 minutes Thame started to play some of the best one touch football seen all season and Chinnor could only clear the ball as an
    option. Having levelled an Alex McDonald solo goal with a break away goal, further Thame goals were added by a rampant and skilful Max Brown, a well taken left foot lob from Ross Hampshire, another clinically dispatched penalty from Oliver Ralphs and Nathan added to the half time total to go in comfortably at
    5-1.

    After the break, Thame added another goal from Brad with a superb long range shot that clearly bounced over the line before the swarming Thame attack
    followed up with a tap in. Thame changed things about and the match evened up in the final 15 minutes, the Chinnor number 7 always looking dangerous, and put in a superb performance to gain a consolation goal towards the end. Alex Mac added a seventh and was denied another by a keeper who was clearly their
    man-of-the-match in making four second half saves that looked like certain goals.

    Thame played great football to further extend their lead at the top of the table but their style of play was the pleasing aspect of this game. Every player
    contributed to a fine team performance, either setting up their team mates or backing them up with some excellent tackles and cover at the back and midfield.
    Duncan Holt did not put a foot wrong at the back and distributed the ball superbly every time but was pipped by Louie to man-of-the-match due to fact the
    Louie won every tackle he went in for.

  • 07/02/11………..Mardi Gras is coming to Thame

    THE theme for this year’s Thame carnival will present the widest range of opportunities for residents and businesses to pull out all the stops in dressing up and parading in the most elaborate and imaginative ways.

    The theme for this year’s carnival on Saturday, June 18, is to be Mardi Gras, which promises once again to be the highlight of Thame’s community events calendar.

    Information about how to get your club, organisation or business involved in Thame’s Mardi Gras, can be obtained from Town Councillor Nicola Dixon, via the town hall.

  • 16/02/11……….No surprises as

    ONLY the fire service and child protection will escape from the