Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • The Youth of today! Premier of film that looks behind the image

    THAME and abingdon teenagers, working with a group of older people, have made a stunning film that challenges negative ideas about young people.

    The Youth of Today ? seeing the person behind the image, premiered on Friday (October 02, 2009)) at the Cornerstone Centre in Didcot.

    The idea that most young people are hoody wearing, drug taking, knife carrying yobs, was challenged and, by the end of the film, shown to be a gross over-simplification and generalisation that is simply not fair.

    One of the highlights of the film is a laser quest-type skirmish between teenagers and pensioners, and by the end of the film, it is clear that both age groups have formed real friendships and discovered a greater understanding about each other’s lives.

    The original idea for the film came from Southern members of the UK Youth Parliament who felt the media focused too much on negative stories about young people rather than highlighting their achievements.

    In the film, an older member of the production team interviews Dr Tanya Byron of TV’s Tiny Tearaways fame, about the way young people are portrayed in the press, and Tom from Thame, a pupil at Lord Williams’s school, is shown in the film interviewing ThameNews.Net reporter, Sonja Francis, and asking some very pertinent questions about her views on the portrayal of young people in the press.

    She agreed that the national press especially, did often tend to only pick up on the more dramatic stories involving violence, drugs and anti-social behaviour, but added that with regard to local news media, it was up to the young people themselves to push good news about their achievements and work in the community, by sending out well-written and interesting press releases and if possible, good pictures – a sure fire way to get the attention of a news editor looking to make a great page layout for that week’s newspaper.

    The film was made with the support of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils. The team were taught basic film making skills so they could script, direct, shoot and edit their film in their own way and the intention is that it will be shown at neighbourhood action group meetings, to help older people understand that young people are not an immediate threat. It will also be made available to other groups and organisations across the two districts.

    Ann Ducker, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “I am so pleased we are able to support this project along with the Vale of the White Horse District Council. It?s great to see these young people making a stand against the negative image that young people are often portrayed in.
    “We hope community groups throughout the districts will use this film to kick start discussion about working with communities to tackle the issue that leads to negative publicity.”

    Cllr Tony de Vere, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “The overwhelming majority of young people in our communities work hard at school and contribute an enormous amount to society because they care. But you very rarely hear about all the good things they are doing.
    “Because of this, some people may be intimidated by young people unnecessarily. This film is a great step towards getting a understanding between the different generations and helping us all to be proud of the young people on whom our future depends.”

    Linval Shepherd, aged 22, production team member from the Foyer in Abingdon said: “We wanted to show that young people do good things in the community. The media are always more interested in bad stories like knife crime and never seem to want to feature the good things teenagers are doing.

    “Tonight is the first time I?ve seen the film and I really hope its message will spread. We want to prove the media wrong.”

    The Thame team involved in the film’s production were:

    Dan Timberlake
    Jack Williamson
    Emma Pearce
    Gemma Read
    Zach Read
    Tom Hindley
    Mary Stiles

    Photo: Headteacher of Lord Williams’s school, Thame, Mary Stiles, a member of the Thame NAG group, who featured in the film, Thame Town Cllr Owen Davies and young people from Thame involved in the production.

  • A view of work in the Calcutta slums – Oct 7, 2009

    WEDNESDAY, October 07, 2.30-4 30pm in the Thame Barns centre. Rig David, Director of Calcutta Cathedral Relief Services will speak about CCRF’s amazing work in the Calcutta slums, observed at first hand by members of St Mary’s, Thame, in past visits.

    Rig is a gracious local Indian with a great story to tell. Come and hear! Refreshments provided by Patsy Baker.

    There will be another showing and discussion of the same material later in the evening between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. at 60 Lower High Street Thame.

    Picture: A typical Calcutta street – Courtesy of http://www.friends-of-crs.org.uk/

  • Community hospital row: no back down

    CONTROVERSIAL changes to GP cover at Thame and other local community hospitals, should stay in place while a review is carried out, a health boss has insisted.

    See full story from the Bucks Free Press – LINK

    Comment from Thame GPs tomorrow.

  • News from Haddenham 02/10/09

    HADDENHAM and District Rotary Club – David Rankin, known to many as Haddenham’s tree warden, is the new president of Haddenham and District Rotary Club (formerly known as Thame Witchert Rotary Club). He has been involved for some years in the Rotary Club sponsored tree planting scheme for reception class children at the village infant schools and plans are in place for November?s planting sessions. The club also does extensive fund-raising during the year and two Haddenham organisations – the Cricket Club and the Youth Centre – have benefited from money raised during Paul Haworth?s presidency.

    COMING UP IN HADDENHAM THIS MONTH

    Sat 3rd Autumn Market. There?s a chance to start your Christmas shopping early at the autumn market, being held in support of Haddenham Baptist Chapel, on Saturday (9am-12noon) at the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways. Jewellery, cards, preserves and cakes, pottery and other crafts, gifts and lots more will be on sale and you can even have your breakfast there as bacon baps and other refreshments will be on sale. Entry is 50p.

    Sat 3rd Mini Concert. An informal

  • Life time achievement for Raymond Blanc

    RAYMOND Blanc, the Chef patron of Le Manoir aux Quat? Saisons, near Thame, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.

    The AA Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Raymond at a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton recently.

    Blanc, who this year celebrates 25 years at Le Manoir, was given the award for “his passion for food, his respect for chefs and his ‘humble manner’.”

    Photo: Raymond Blanc signing a copy of his latest book in the Bookhouse, Thame, last Christmas

    02/10/09

  • Thomas Hardy returns to Thame

    THE Dorset Corset Theatre Company are bringing their adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic Under The Greenwood Tree to Thame this Saturday, October 2009.

    This is the fourth year The Dorset Corset Theatre Company has visited Thame, having previously played to full houses at The Player’s Theatre.

    THE SHOW

    Nothing could prepare Fancy Day for the small village of Mellstock. Young, beautiful and educated she soon catches the eye of the honest, hard working Dick Dewy who is struck by love at first sight. But all is not simple for Fancy when she receives offers from Reverend Maybold who can show her the world and Farmer Shiner who can offer wealth and stability. Torn between love, opportunity, and her father?s expectations Fancy has a hard decision to make.

    Using live music, choral singing and physical theatre The Dorset Corset Theatre Company are set to thrill audiences across the south with Helen Davis? captivating adaptation of this Hardy classic. A real autumn treat.

    THE COMPANY

    The Dorset Corset Theatre Company was founded by Helen Watts, Fiona Davis and Ed Burnside in 2006. The directors came together to tell classic stories in a lively and unique way and to fill a distinct gap in terms of professional theatre provision in their local area (Dorset).

    Under The Greenwood Tree is their fourth production having enjoyed critical success with their acclaimed productions of Persuasion (2006), and Far From The Madding Crowd (2007) and Northanger Abbey (2008).

  • Cycle ride plus more MIND events coming up – from October 10, 2010

    SPONSORED Cycle Ride, Saturday, 10th October 2009 Starting at 10am. from Broad Street, Oxford. A pleasant 15 mile loop towards Abingdon, passing through the villages of Wootton, Sunningwell and Kennington, returning along the river to the Mind head office, 2 Kings Meadow, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0DP for refreshments. Not a cyclist? Join us in Broad Street for the start of the ride and show your support for the Time to Change Campaign – let’s help ride discrimination of of town together! For more information and to register please contact Amy Wackett on 01865 263735 or email amy.wackett@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

    Sponsored Walk Across Port Meadow in aid of Oxfordshire Mind, approx 7 Miles, Saturday, 24th October 2009 Starting at 12.00 noon, from the Oxfordshire Mind head office, 2 Kings Meadow, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0DP – Within five minutes of leaving the Oxfordshire Mind office you will find yourself walking a quiet stretch of the Oxford Canal towpath and the scenery is rural from then on. During the walk we will stop at one of Oxford?s famous riverside pubs, the Trout Inn at Wolvercote, for drinks and a short rest! This is a lovely flat walk that people of all ages can take part in. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring waterproofs (just in case!) Don?t forget your sponsorship form on the day, together with your water. You will be given a registration form when you arrive. Dogs are welcome provided they are kept on leads. Funds raised from the Sponsored Walk will help provide vital services for people who are experiencing mental and emotional health problems such as anxiety, bereavement, depression, life crisis, loneliness, recovery from breakdowns, panic attacks, stress and schizophrenia. For a sponsorship form or to make a donation please contact Nicky Clargo at Oxfordshire Mind on 01865 263733 or email nicky.clargo@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

    Colette Graham and Nathan James are embarking on a 12,000 ft jump out of an aeroplane in aid of Oxfordshire Mind! Whilst exiting the plane they will accelerate to 120 mph, covering a thousand feet in 5 seconds! At 5,000 ft their instructors will deploy parachutes and will hopefully return them both safefully to earth some four minutes later. Colette and Nathan both work for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (OBMH) which provides specialist mental health services to people in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and the surrounding counties, and highly specialist services to patients from across the UK. One in four people are affected by mental illness and about two in every thousand people need specialist care for serious conditions, such as severe anxiety or depression, eating disorders or addictions. OBMH has a number of bases across both counties, which provide day care, in-patient services, and services in the community. JOIN US AND USE YOUR VOICE Have a say in your local mental health services by becoming a Member of our Foundation Trust. To join, please visit http://www.obmh.nhs.uk/about-us/what-we-do/become-a-member.aspx Colette and Nathan’s main reasons for taking part in this event are to raise awareness of mental health and to support Oxfordshire Mind. Oxfordshire Mind is a great charity to support and we know they aim to raise at least

  • Get out in the fresh air this Autumn with The Northmoor Trust

    NORTHMOOR Trust Autumn Events – October, November, December, 2009; Unless stated otherwise, all events take place at Northmoor Trust, Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ and booking is essential:

    Sunday 4th & 11th October & 8th November: 10.30am – 1pm Northmoor Trust Fungus Foray

    Find the fabulous fungi that are fruiting in the forest. Adults

  • Could you mentor young people in Oxfordshire?

    VOLUNTEERS are being sought by Oxfordshire County Council’s Youth Mentoring Service to help troubled young people turn their lives around.

    The service recruits, trains and supports people from the community to become mentors to young people who have problems in their lives.

    These may include:

    Family issues
    Educational or employment difficulties
    Facing negative peer influence
    Committing crime or being at risk of committing crime

    The mentoring has many aims, including raising young people’s self-esteem, integrating young people with the wider community and preventing and reducing offending.

    Mentors from a range of backgrounds

    People must be at least 18 years old to become a volunteer mentor. Current volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and bring a range of qualities and skills to the young people who they assist.

    All mentors are required to attend training, which covers four basic units:

    Mentoring Skills
    Youth in Society
    Equal Opportunities
    Interpersonal Skills and Young People at Risk

    The training, for which travel costs are covered, takes place at Oxford’s County Hall.

    Mentors are carefully matched with an appropriate young person once trained. Volunteers receive support, supervision and the opportunity to attend more training sessions if required.

    Valuable experience for all

    Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Becoming a mentor can benefit a young person in so many positive ways by giving them a real sense of support and assistance early on in their lives.

    “It can also be extremely rewarding for the mentors too. I hope that lots of people will come forward to offer a few hours a week to help young people in Oxfordshire.”

    People interested in becoming a mentor can call 01865 848181 or email oyms@oxfordshire.gov.uk for more information.

  • incinerator will seriously damage local environmnet, says CPRE (Status: press release)

    FOLLOWING the news recently that County Councillors have agreed to push ahead with plans for a waste incinerator in Ardley, near Bicester, the Oxfordshire Branch of the environmental campaign group, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), has expressed concerns that the incinerator will seriously damage the local environment and have major impacts on the local transport network.

    CPRE has stated that it understands that the related planning application is due to be determined by the County Council later this autumn.

    CPRE?s Bicester District Chairman, Bruce Tremayne said: “Our objection to the proposal rests on two areas of particular interest to our aim of protecting rural Oxfordshire: firstly, the building itself, with a stack 82 metres high, brings an industrial feel to what is essentially a very rural landscape. The impact on the surrounding countryside will be marked. Secondly, we query the scale of the project. The implications of operating a scheme of this size on the dependent existing transport system are clearly onerous, possibly fatal.”

    He continued: “Not only does the raw waste have to be brought in, all on existing roads, but 75,000 MTPA of bottom ash needs to be sent out, and a further 12,000MTPA of toxic fly ash removed for specialised disposal elsewhere (possibly Gloucestershire). This could mean over 500 lorry movements per day or approx 125,000 movements per year. This may be feasible where there are routes available with adequate capacity, but the B430 carries more than its fair share of HGVs, and is already overloaded. A comprehensive survey is required of the traffic, plus the overall air quality and CO2 emissions, impact on all roads in the vicinity that will be involved in the operations associated with this plant.”

    He added: “While we are unable to comment on the health and environmental pollution aspects of the proposal, we understand that the technology proposed is not exactly ?state of the art?, and that later developments such as mechanical biological treatment together with plasma gasification should perhaps be researched more deeply before any firm decisions to proceed are made.

    “It may be that some form of incineration of the final level of the waste hierarchy is required. However, it would seem sensible to keep such units small in scale to minimise the visual impact on the landscape; minimise the lorry miles needed to feed them, and so minimise the additional CO2 emissions involved.”