Author: Sonja Francis

YESTERDAY was a truly memorable day for everyone at Barley Hill School, Thame, as teachers, governors, pupils, councillors and those involved in the design and building of the new teaching block, celebrated together its official opening.

Although there were many distinguished guests, including the Chair of Governors, Paul Nicholas, David Bretherton the School Governor who Chairs the school’s Premises Committee, the Vice Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, Patrick Greene, the highlight of the children’s day was the chance to meet children?s television presenter, Helen Skelton.

The Headteacher, John Hulett, who is retiring at Christmas, reflected on Helen’s effect on the children: “From the moment she began to respond to the children?s questions everyone was fully engaged with what she had to say. She shared some really special moments from her experiences and inspired the children with her enthusiasm and passion for the work she is currently doing on Blue Peter. She finished her interview by giving a challenge to all the children.

“She said, “The more you learn…the more you know about the world and what?s happened before, the better and bigger your adventures can be……I expect to see big things from you all in the future!”

Having unveiled a commemorative plaque on the side of the new teaching block, and raising the new school flag to a fanfare played by the school’s brass band, Helen spent an hour walking around the school visiting nearly every classroom and spending time talking with the children. She showed great interest in what they were doing and thrilled the children with her conversations about their work.

“She is certainly a great role model for them,” continue Mr Hulett, “and I am delighted that she agreed to visit Barley Hill. Many of the children will I know be writing to thank her.”

But, there was a big surprise for ‘Sir’ – for when Helen unveiled the plaque, he was amazed to see his name on it. For everyone had been sworn to secrecy and not to give any hint to Mr Hulett that the new, state of the art, eco building, was to be named after him.

“To think,” said John Hulett afterwards, “that anyone would want to name a building after me was astonishing! I feel honoured that the governors wanted to do this as a mark of my time as headteacher. For once I was lost for words!”

The day’s celebrations ended with a massed balloon launch and a PTA cake sale. The school awaits news of whose balloon travels the furthest.

PHOTO: Helen Skelton unveils the first plaque commemmorating the new John Hulett Building with the help of one of the youngest, and the eldest pupil in the school.

FOLLOWING an appeal for a marketing name for a new homes development by David Wilson Homes in Thame last month, it has been decided that the most appropriate name would be Windmill Place. The developer received a large number of suggestions and hopes to use some of the other names within the street naming at the development.

The marketing name is one that is used for the duration of the sales period. It could be that a more permanent name could be used after sales are complete.

David Wilson Homes purchased the 4.9 acre site in a joint venture with Wates Developments which has financially enabled the Thame football club, the land’s previous occupier, to unlock funding for a brand new community football facility on the edge of the town.

Paul Moran, Sales Director for David Wilson Homes Southern, commented: ?We are delighted that we are now in a position to commence work at the newly named Windmill Place development in Thame. We have already received significant interest from interested purchasers which highlights a demand for new homes in the area.

?We must extend thanks to everyone who came forward with a name for the development. We received an enormous amount of feedback and in the end we decided that Windmill Place was an obvious geographical choice and pays respect to the former football stadium. In addition to Windmill Place, we hope to use some of the other suggestions for streets names within the development.?

With work now underway, David Wilson Homes hopes that the first two, three and four bedroom homes will be released for purchase at the start of next year.

IMAGE: An example of one of David Wilson Homes at one of the company’s other developments. (Designs for Windmill Place not yet available)

A CHILDREN’S Centre in Thame will go ahead, despite 14 similar schemes in Oxfordshire being cut. Central Government has cut the

DOCTORS from the Rycote Practice in Thame are calling for Thame and District Day Centre to stay open despite the threatened cuts to funding it receives from Oxford Social Services.

Dr Richard Harrington said: “The Day Centre helps maintain people at home who otherwise need institutional care. It is an essential part of the fabric of health and social care locally and should be maintained.

“I have been a GP in Thame for 20 years. I am extremely concerned at the prospect of a reduction in funding for day services and in my opinion this will jeopardise not just the quality of life of the clients but will, I believe, have an impact on their health status and may increase the likelihood of needing medical attention and admission to hospital.

Dr Harrington concluded: “I know too that for the carers, time spent at the Day Centre is an invaluable oasis for them and an opportunity for other aspects of life otherwise denied to them.”

Supporting comments came from Dr Harrington’s colleagues. Dr Duncan Keeley said: “I know how much attendance at the Day Centre has meant to patients in terms of their health and wellbeing and sense of social involvement.”

Dr J. Makris spoke of a patient who lives alone, for whom attending the day centre is “the highlight of her week.”

Dr Dot Lister said of one of her patients? visits: “This is the only time she leaves her house and without it she would see no-one.”

BACKGROUND

The Thame & District Day Centre is a registered charity and has met at Thame Community Hospital for the past 25 years. It was informed earlier this year that it was likely to be in the second rank of Day Centres when Oxford Social Services handed out grants for the coming year. Centre Trustees were given to understand that any grant would fall far short of the

THE new coalition government remains ‘positive about libraries’ said a minister visiting Thame.

Referring no doubt to recent press coverage of suggestions made by the government that libraries could be run by volunteers to save money, Ed Vaizey MP was up-beat when he officially unveiled a commemorative plaque in Thame’s new library last Friday (Sept 24).

Mr Vaizey, who is Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, said that Thame library had seen a 400% rise in the number of people using it since it had opened a month ago.

?It is obviously enormously successful,? he said, and complemented the designers referring particularly to its positive feel created by the amount of light getting in through the considerable amount of glass.

Mr Vaizey then unveiled a plaque to the applause of all those assembled, who included the Mayor of Thame, Adam Buckland, and ex town councillor, Mike Le Mesurier, who had been involved in raising the need for a new library for Thame in the early days.

Earlier, County Librarian, Caroline Taylor, who had seen the project through the last 4-5years, gave a particular mention to Andrew Coggins, her predecessor who, she said, deserved a lot of the credit for the new library project getting off the ground.

The Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, Hilary Hibbert-Biles, thanked the design team, including Kelvin Eveligh, the project Manager who had over-seen the project.

John Howell MP congratulated everyone involved in the project, saying that Thame now had a library to be proud of, and Beatrice Dobie of the Friends of Thame library spoke of her group which had, at times, she said, thought they would never see a new library for Thame.

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a 19-year-old man suffered injuries to his head and body during an unprovoked attack in Thame.

The victim, who had been attending the Thame Fair, was walking along Skippon Way, near the junction with Roundhead Drive, with friends at about 11.04pm on 17 September, when he was confronted by two men.

As he was walking away from the men, he was struck on the back of the head and fell to the ground, following which he was repeatedly kicked by both men, before managing to escape.

He suffered bruising and scratches to his back and chest and swelling to his head.

The first suspect is described as white, about 20-21 years-old, 5ft 10ins, with a stocky build, and blond/light brown spiky hair. He was wearing a chequered dark brown/black shirt.

The second suspect is described as white, about 20-21 years-old, 6ft tall, with brown hair. He was wearing a navy blue/black jumper.

If you have information about this offence which could help police, call PC Chris Bennett at Thame police station, via the 24-hour Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don?t want to talk to police, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SOURCE: Press Release

THE market town of Thame has undoubtedly won its place on the annual regional food festival trail, following, what the town’s Mayor described as a triumph!

This, only the third year in a row that the Thame has held a food festival, show-cased three times the number of stalls as the previous two years, and attracted many more times the number of visitors to share in what was a wonderfully vibrant, colourful and interesting day for locals and visitors alike.

Guest speakers and demonstrating chefs enjoyed interacting with a large and responsive audience eager to find out all about local food products and retailers and improve their food knowledge and skills.

?It was amazing,? said co-organiser Sally Dickinson. ?It?s been such a success: beyond my wildest dreams. It was on so much of a bigger scale than last year ? I still can?t really come to terms with it. There is a real feeling now that this festival is here to stay. The only way is up.?

This was the view of Thame Market Town Co-ordinator for South Oxfordshire, Alison Isherwood, who was central to the organisation of the food festival:

?There were so many positive comments from people about how fantastic it was and how good it was for the town: bringing everyone together. I was really moved. It?s been sensational!?

Echoing Alison were the thoughts of Sonja Francis of 21st Century Thame and Thame.net: “It?s what it has done for the town of Thame that means so much to me. I always knew we had such great potential here. The people are really special. I?m very proud of what everybody has achieved and I can?t wait for next year.?

Sally Dorling of Marketing Foods, another joint organiser of the festival was also thrilled. ?It was a lot of hard work for everyone involved but we couldn?t have been more pleased with the turn out. What was particularly satisfying was the breadth and knowledge of the crowd and the number of people who came along to support us. It was amazing. We tried hard to get a good mix of stall holders and attendees with a real emphasis on quality ? and that seems to have paid off.

“I would like to thank all those who worked with us to make this such a great event, including the town council and Oxfordshire Thriving Market Towns Fund. We really do appreciate it,? she concluded.

Trade was brisk all day. P.E. Mead, producers of cold pressed rapeseed oil said that it was the best day?s trading they?d had at a festival this year. The Tim?s Dairy stand had sold out of yogurts by 1pm.

?It?s been incredible,? said Julian running the stall. ?I?ve never known anything like it. We had our first customer at 9.15 and it has been continuous ever since then. We could have sold twice as much.?

He wasn?t the only one. Several stall holders had to phone back to try and get more stock and several had to pack up early as a consequence.

Participants including Clays butchers, Sharyn Singer and the Book House and many more, have already signed up for next year. The level of positive comment and congratulation has been amazing.

Tickets for the special events including the talks by M&J Seafoods, Newitts the Butchers and The Belle Vue Tea Company, in The Stables at the James Figg Pub, were all taken up. The children?s workshops including the making of a Dough Tortoise at The Cottage Bakery, Chocolate decorating with The Chocolate Source and Pasta making with Splat Cooking, were equally popular and a great day was had by all those involved.

The last word goes to Thame’s Mayor, Adam Buckland:

“This years food festival was a triumph!” he said. “I was a bit disappointed not to be able to go to our twin town Montesson this weekend because I had a lot of functions and launches to attend in Thame. But, as I was sitting in the area in front of the cookery demonstration stage eating a lovely selection of the food that was on offer, chatting to friends in the bright sunshine, I thought this could have easily been a festival on the continent!

“The festival was packed with people who had all come to taste the local produce, watch demonstrations and see the many varied stalls all full of amazing colours and smells. A friend of mine who lives outside Thame said to me that Thame has really improved over recent years and with all the different festivals, Markets and fairs, has become a vibrant place to come and visit especially with his children.

“We took the children up to the Aga shop where they decorated their own cup cakes and spent the next half hour wiping it off their hands, faces and for one of my kids, ears! Great fun was had by all and we can’t wait till next year! Thank you for all your hard work and for helping to bring this festival to Thame!”