Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Evacuee seeks information

    DEAR EDITOR – During the war I was evacuated to a pub in a small village near Thame. All I can remember is playing happily in the green field with other children without a care in the world.

    Next door to the pub was a large house. I believe it was owned by someone famous. The house had been taken over and was used to provide USAF personnel rest and recuperation. Many had been badly burnt. I was spoilt rotten by these airmen.

    There was a long pathway to the door of the pub and the beer was kept in large barrels. The people who looked after me were kind and took good care of me.

    I would love to be able to place the village and the people. Can anyone help me?

    Avril Harpley
    14/09/09

  • Slow internet in Thame?

    ONE of our readers has asked whether anyone else in Thame has noticed a distinct slowing, to the point of paralysis, in Internet connections on several evenings recently.

    There were similar delays during daytime towards the end of the school holidays, he says. This raises the question of whether heavy use of the Internet by youngsters is the cause, and whether the system should be as vulnerable to overload as that would suggest.

    Contact: editor@thame.net with your experiences.

  • Good news for recruitment

    OXFORDSHIRE is set for a recruitment surge, according to a survey from Oxford-based recruitment firm, Allen Associates.

    Helen Hymas, resourcer at Stratton Group, told www.Recruiter.co.uk: “We are currently recruiting in Thame. The general buzz is that it is picking up.”

    The Recruiter article states that the survey shows that 51% of firms plan to hire in 2010, while 35% have already hired new employees.

    The research also shows that 30% predict that their business will recover from the economic downturn within the next six to 12 months, 27% predict recovery within the next 18 months to two years and 44% of small businesses in Oxfordshire report no negative effects from the recession.

    Kate Allen, managing director of Allen Associates who commissioned the survey, says: “Whilst many companies have had to deal with recession-related issues resulting in extra pressure on managers, the new recovery predictions are extremely encouraging. Oxfordshire?s readily available talent pool, creativity and ability to innovate look set to help strengthen its economic position over the next year.”

    Louise Tyzack, researcher at Banbury-based HR consultancy and recruiter Anthony Cripps Associates, told Recruiter: “We have seen a pick up in the market from a month ago. There has been an increase in jobs coming in for accountancy jobs.”

  • Defensive errors cost Thame cup match

    FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round: 12/09/09 – Thame United 0, Burnham 2. MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

    TWO defensive errors cost United as they slipped to defeat against unbeaten Southern League side Burnham in the FA Cup on Saturday. Whilst against teams of a similar level United may have expected those mistakes to go unpunished, against higher league opposition they were made to pay. That said, Burnham?s opening goal in the sixth minute still relied on a measure of good fortune.

    As United sought to play the ball out of defence, a mistimed pass was collected by the Burnham left winger whose miss hit cross found its way to Rob Saunders. Saunders then scuffed his effort back across goal and, unfortunately for United, the quickest to react was the Burnham?s prolific goal scorer Dean Papali who beat keeper Lee Orkney from close range.

    At this stage Burnham were on the front foot and extended their lead 10 minutes later when a cross from the left was met by Saunders, unmarked 10 yards from goal on the right side of the penalty area, who drove his shot inside Orkney at the near post. United improved significantly after the second goal and, for the remainder of the half, had as much possession and attacking play as Burnham. The nearest they came to getting on the score sheet was a thunderous effort from 30 yards by Lawrence El-Kassir whose shot was heading for the top right hand corner until the keeper pulled off a spectacular save to push the ball over the bar.

    The second half started in similar fashion with United closing down the opposition and moving the ball around quickly. However, it was Burnham who nearly extended the lead in the 52nd minute when an effort from 18 yards came back off the post. Perhaps the turning point for United came with 25 minutes remaining. Luke Ricketts, who had the caused the Burnham defence problems all afternoon, ran in to the box only to be fouled as he beat his marker. To the surprise of most of the crowd, the referee awarded a goal kick and Ricketts, who sustained a serious head injury in the incident was forced to leave the field of play. United continued to press for a goal but were unable to find their way past a resolute Burnham defence, although substitute Tom Hoskin created a couple of half chances which, if luck had been with Thame, may have altered the result. As it was, Burnham took their chances early in the game and progress to the next round.

    United are in cup action again next weekend as they travel to Halstead Town (Essex) in the FA Vase.

    Thame United: Orkney, Cowan (Meredith), Wakelin, N.Rhodes, Hocking, A.Rhodes, El-Kassir, Barr, Jones (Way), Rogers, Ricketts (Hoskin).

    THAME UNITED RESERVES were also in cup action as they faced Division 1 side Finchampstead in the Chairman?s Reserve Challenge Cup. United started the better of the two sides as they raced in to a two goal lead following a brace from Matt Leach. However, Finchampstead cam back strongly and scored three goals of their own. Raymond Patrick then scored an equaliser for Thame and forced the game in to extra time. There were no further goals during extra time and, in the penalty shoot out, it was Finchampstead who progressed winning 5-4.

    PHOTO: Lawrence El-Kassir

  • Scratch Chinnor Seconds team battle with Barnes

    CHINNOR SECONDS XV 15 Pts, Vs Barnes 27 Pts: Away League match – September 12, 2009 – MATCH REPORT:

    CHINNOR Seconds played their first league game of the season against Barnes second team on Saturday and with Chinnor fielding five senior sides this weekend, securing players was a huge problem with several players out due to injuries and players not available.

    It proved to be more than a challenge when another three players pulled out of the team on Saturday morning. This resulted in a much-changed team to play Barnes.

    Chinnor expected the Barnes team be powerful and strong and they weren?t far wrong! Within five minutes of the start one of the game, a Chinnor player found himself isolated and the ball was ripped away from him and Barnes ran in a converted try.
    For the next fifteen minutes Chinnor?s game improved and the team settled playing good rugby, exemplified by Ben Farr who took the ball in his own half and darted his way through virtually the full Barnes team to score in the corner – a great individual effort.

    He followed that up three minutes later with a penalty and Chinnor were in the lead by eight points to seven. Unfortunately Chinnor lost Bob Harris with a back injury and, due to the shortage of players, Chinnor?s pack was forced to changewhich lost them momentum and dominance.

    Jack Bull then followed up chasing a fly kick up field by Harry Hillier, and managed to pick up the ball for a second Chinnor try, converted by Ben Farr.

    Five minutes to half time Chinnor were caught napping when Barnes took a quick tap penalty while Chinnor were waiting to scrum for a knock on by Barnes. They scored a soft try under the posts and the score was 15 ? 14 in Chinnor?s favour.

    During the extra five minutes of injury time, Chinnor missed several tackles and allowed Barnes another converted try and the first half finished 21 ? 15 in Barnes favour.

    Five minutes into the second half, Barnes went further ahead with another penalty. But Chinnor was very unlucky in the third quarter when Harry Hillier was called back for a penalty with an open try line ahead of him because the referee deemed him to be ahead of the kicker and not retreating. The only problem with this was that Harry was the actual kicker. Shortly after Barnes was awarded another penalty in which they were successful.

    All the boys played with total commitment on a ground that was unbelievably hard and dusty, and deserve applause for their dedication on the day. The score did not reflect the game. Final score was Barnes 27 ? Chinnor 15.

    Man of the match was Ben Farr who had an outstanding 80 minutes of rugby.

    With another two players out of the first team for at least eight weeks due to serious injuries, the second team will have to send more players up to the first team.

    Next week Chinnor seconds have a local derby against Maidenhead at home and desperately need everyone to be available.

    Walter McGuicken

    Photo: Man of the match, Ben Farr

  • URGENT WARNING – PHONE SCAM !!

    MESSAGE RECEIVED TODAY – A telephone phone scam, threatening to cut off telephone lines unless an “unpaid” BT phone bill is paid, is currently doing the rounds.

    Here is a message received from a ThameNews.Net visitor today: 12/09/09

    I received a call from a ‘representative’ of BT, informing me that he was disconnecting me because of an unpaid bill. He demanded payment immediately of

  • How to create a winning web presence for your business

    ..is the subject of a seminar to be held later in September, at The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame.

    The seminar is entitled “The Smarter Way to Web Success ? How to create a winning web presence for your business” and the speakers, all experienced professionals, will be Steve Gunn, Merrill Jacobs and Kevin O’Brien.

    DISCOVER THE THREE PILLARS OF WEB SUCCESS

    This half-day seminar will reveal the secrets of a creating a successful web presence for your business. You will learn about the three essential pillars of web success:

    ?Website design

    ?Website copy

    ?Website marketing

    The speakers will provide valuable practical insights into each topic and demonstrate how they work together to play an essential role in a successful web project.

    By the end of this powerful half-day seminar, delegates will understand:

    ?The design principles underpinning easy to use websites

    ?How to create a rewarding user experience

    ?How to a conduct a user test

    ?How web copy is different to other types of copy

    ?Different types of web page and how to use copy on them

    ?Writing for search engines

    ?The Google philosophy and common sense SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

    ?Researching using PPC (Pay Per Click)

    ?Total tracking

    Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009

    Location: The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame

    Time: 9.00am-1.00pm

    Cost:

  • Low carbon caravan hits Thame

    THE Climate Rush road show arrived in Thame this morning, having plotted its way from Haddenhan where it spent the night on the green, in front of Haddenham Church and at near by Manor Farm.

    Climate change activists, some walking, some riding bicycles, were lead by two horses and carts along the A418 between Haddenham and Thame, for a brief visit, to the astonishment of Thame shoppers.

    The procession then went on its way to Oxford, holding up the traffic between Thame and the Shabbington turn, but after having made its point, pulled to one side to allow the build up of vehicles to pass on by.

    There is however, a serious message behind the Climate Rush
     tour of the South East of England; to spread the word about climate change and encourage more people to campaign for change in the lead up to the Copenhagen talks, and to get people involved in campaigning to reduce the harmful emissions effecting climate change.

  • St. Joseph?s School, Thame, Open Afternoon

    IF you are thinking about primary schools for September 2010, or for future years, St. Joseph?s Catholic Primary School Thame is delighted to offer parents the chance to see the school in action at our Open Afternoon on Wednesday, September 23,2009; 1.30 ?2.45pm.

    Headteacher Claire Kerr, commented: “We?re opening up our school to give families a chance to get a taste of life at St. Joseph?s and of our wonderful family atmosphere. Our doors are open to both Catholic and non-Catholic families and everyone will be warmly welcomed.”

    There will be displays by the After School Club and by Friends of St. Joseph?s, who provide fundraising social events for parents and children. Parents will also be able to meet some Governors of the school.

    Although this event is aimed primarily at parents of pre-school children, anyone is welcome to attend.

    St Joseph?s currently has some vacancies for children entering reception class in September 2009. Refreshments will be available.

    For further information, please ring 01844 214278.

    Location: Brook Lane, Thame, OX9 2AB,

  • What’s on in Haddenham – September 2009

    ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES. The 5 year old artsmart School of Art, which is based in Beaconsfield, is launching a new 10 week course in Haddenham, at the Village Hall, on September 23 (1.30-3.30pm). Drawing 4 Absolute Beginners will be led by tutor John Harrad, who holds a B.A. from Brighton College of Art and has over 30 years experience of Adult Education teaching in Art and Design. For details call 01494 670372 or look at www.artsmartuk.com.

    The Tai Chi and Gentle Exercise Monday morning classes run by Buckinghamshire Adult Learning start again on September 21. For details and bookings a place call 0845 045 4040.

    You can learn about ?Real Life in an Ancient Egyptian Village?, with tutor Rosalind Janssen, at a 7 week WEA course on Wednesdays (1.30-3.30pm) in the Methodist Chapel starting on September 23. Call Carole Fryer on 01296 748538 for details and bookings.

    Thurs 10th Medical Centre. Haddenham Medical Centre will be closed for staff training (from 12.30pm). Emergency cover will be provided.

    Thurs 10th Climate Change. The climate change pressure group Climate Rush will be joining forces with Transition Thame and District in the lounge area of the Red Lion pub (7-10pm) for an evening on the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (Dec 7-18th 2009). This will be an opportunity to learn about what is going on in the lead up to Copenhagen, and particularly about ?The Wave?, the big climate change march in London on December 5.

    Sat 12th ?Ride and Stride?. If you would like to sign up to take part in this year?s sponsored cycle ride, horse ride and walk, contact Richard on 292463. Half the money raised goes to a church of your choice and half to Bucks Historic Churches Trust.

    Sat 12th Best Kept Village. Vice Lord Lieutenant Jenny Hopkirk will be presenting the Pushman cup for Best Kept Village (3000+ population) just before 4pm, at Church End Green.

    Sun 13th Aylesbury Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Fruit and Vegetable Society has its annual show at Haddenham Village Hall (2-4.30pm).

    Sun 13th Simply Walk. A reminder that the monthly Sunday walks have been cancelled due to the leader?s ill health. The walks will be re-instated if a new leader comes forward. Call Terry on 01296 640013 or Fiona on 01494 475367 if you are able to help.

    Sat 19th Table Top Sale. Call Tracy Powell on 01844 296078 to book a table (