Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Green flag for Thame primary school

    CONGRATUALTIONS go to John Hampden Primary School, Thame, which has been awarded the prestigious Green flag for its efforts in providing an environmental education.

    Projects included, to name but a few, developing their wooded area to provide an outdoor classroom, building a greenhouse from recycled plastic bottles and creating a gardening club which is responsible for the school?s flower beds and vegetable plots.

    The assessor found the school to be particularly good at involving the whole school community in their eco work and the high level of aptitude amongst the pupils.

    John Hampden is entitled to fly the flag for the next two years during which time they will continue to develop other environmental projects.

  • Thame hospital reassurance?

    Dear Editor – As a resident of this town I would say that leaving aside the legal facts about the ownership and management of Thame Community Hospital, its image and status could be subtly but seriously wounded and reduced if the traditional links between our doctors and their patients in the hospital were interrupted or broken.

    I would like to feel reassured that it is only the medical provision which is being taken over by a private concern. I don’t.

    Norman Brand
    Fanshawe Road
    20/07/09

  • Double win for Thame United

    THAME United traveled to Hellenic Premier Division side Kidlington on Saturday with a squad of around 30 players, for a double header with Kidlington Reserves and first team. The opening fixture between the respective Reserve sides saw United fall behind to an early goal, with former Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa player Garry Parker controlling the direction of play for Kidlington.

    However, Thame came back in to the game strongly, and upset the hosts by scoring four goals and running out deserved 4-2 winners.

    Bouyed by the result for the Reserve side, the First Team started well against a strong Kidlington side boasting last years Hellenic Premier Division Player of the Year. United also included the highly experienced Lee Orkney in goal with John Mitchell, a prolific goal scorer for United in their Southern League days and a target for Kettering Town only two seasons ago, returning up front.

    Whilst Kidlington were generally on top for the early exchanges, they rarely threatened Orkney in the Thame goal, and it was United who took the lead in the 28th minute. Striker Aaron Rogers picked up a loose ball from the Kidlington defenders and neatly lobbed the stranded home keeper from 20 yards. There followed United?s best period of the half, as they kept the ball with a neat passing game, and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty just before the break when Tom Hoskins was fouled within the area, only for the referee to give a free kick on the edge of the box.

    Kidlington came out strongly at the start of the second half and forced United on to the back foot ? something United were prepared for and content to hit Kidlington on the break. As a consequence, Orkney was the busier of the two keepers, but kept United in the game by collecting all the crosses that came in to the Thame box and comfortably gathering a number of long distance shots on the Thame goal. However, in the 73rd minute Orkney produced a stupendous save from only two yards, and moments later United could have extended their lead when Ricketts, who did well to work space on the bye-line hit a pin point cross to substitute Corey Forbes who could only find the Kidlington keeper from six yards out. Forbes almost found the back of the net five minutes later, only to see his effort from 18 yards well saved by the keeper.

    United did, however, extend their lead in the final move of the match. Forbes held the ball up well on the halfway line, before feeding Ricketts in the left wing back position, who hit a pin point pass down the line to substitute Matt Leach. Leach turned his marker and, from a narrow angle on the edge of the box, hit a powerful shot across the keeper who could only parry the ball in to the path of Tom Hoskins who placed the rebound comfortably wide of the keeper.

    Whilst United will concede that it was not one of their best performances, the confident and assured display by Lee Orkney in goal provided a solid base for their attacking football that reflected the understanding and confidence within a settled squad and which was aided by the guile and experience of John Mitchell up front.

    Thame United: Orkney, Gascoyne, Newell, Cowan, Hocking, Jones, El-Kassir, Hoskins, Mitchell, Rogers, Ricketts (Substitutes: Forbes, Gibbs, Leach)
    18th July 2009

    Picture: John Mitchell (blue) returning to action for Thame United following a three year absence

  • Plea for help and support for Sex offender

    Dear Editor, We were distressed at the tone of the statement made by the relatives of the child involved in the Nick Graves case which appeared on thamenews.net.

    It is our opinion that the Judge gave a very fair penalty taking into consideration the seriousness of the crime. A far greater penalty is that Nick has destroyed his and Jan?s future, and his children have to live with the knowledge of his conviction for the rest of their lives. The damage done to the member of the complainant family will probably be minimal in the future unless he is continually reminded of it.

    In this situation, surely, what Nick?s family desperately needs is help and support, not a vindictive attack. There was absolutely no need for more people in this close knit community to know of the situation.

    We would suggest that the attitude that should be adopted is that which maybe most difficult ? forgiveness. In so doing it will help both families to come to terms with the present situation and will prevent long lasting bitterness.

    We are afraid that we consider that the comment about the ?importance of listening and trusting children? is, sadly, completely wrong in that mischievous complaints by children have become so common that the government is now taking action to prevent the disastrous results that can take place when there is no substance in the complaint.

    Name and address supplied.

  • Ringmaster messages – Thame burglary + Chinnor theft

    This is a Ringmaster message from Thames Valley Police: Between the hours of 16:20 on Saturday 18th July and 12:30 on Sunday 19th July 2009, a property in Grenville Way, Thame was subjected to a burglary.

    The offender or offenders have gained entry via unknown means and have carried out an untidy search of the property. It is uncertain at present what has been stolen. If you have any information relating to this message, or have seen any suspicious people or vehicles in the area, please contact the Police on 08458 505 505 and quote URN 783 of 19th July 2009. Thank you. Message ends.

    This is a Ringmaster message from Thames Valley Police:

    On Wednesday 15th July 2009 at approximately 13:30 hours two white males stole

  • Aston Rowant school raises money for school in India

    ASTON Rowant C of E Primary School has recently developed links with a church school in Nandyal, India and over a period of three years has promised to donate

  • Thame hospital supporter chief responds to closure fears

    SARAH Taylor, the Chair of the League of Friends of Thame Community Hospital, has responded to the latest news about the hospital’s future, as reported on ThameNews.Net yesterday.

    Here is what she has said:

    CLARIFICATION

    Dear Editor, I have now read your article and I have just a couple of comments as to accuracy, to start with – hope you don’t mind! It is not the Hospital which is being taken over by a private concern, it is just the medical provision for the Hospital. The vast majority of care in the Hospital is provided by nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, auxiliaries, etc and they continue to be NHS employees. Also, the extension put on the Hospital in the 70s was actually for a Day Hospital, not a Day Centre. The former is an NHS concern, the latter a Social Services concern which simply rents the room.

    DAY CENTRE CRUTIAL

    However, we are all of the view that it is crucial that the Day Centre continue to be in the Hospital. Many of their ‘clients’ are also patients of the Day Hospital and it works extremely well that they come to the same place for both and see people who can coordinate easily between themselves by virtue of seeing each other regularly. This appears to be something that the OBMH has lost sight of (maybe they have not been properly briefed?). The rent review may make narrow commercial sense for the OBMH, but makes no sort of sense in the wider view of patient care. Also, just exactly who else are they going to rent the room to on the days that the Day Hospital is not using it?

    FOUR HOURS OF MEDICAL CARE A WEEK IS “LUDICROUS”

    As far as the GPs are concerned, we are all fair and square behind their campaign. Our GPs have provided excellent care for generations. It makes no sort of sense to get rid of them, particularly if, as one suspects, they lost out because their tender was for more hours. The concept of providing adequate care in just four hours a week is ludicrous, particularly since these new doctors will have to take travelling time into consideration. Although the patients at the Hospital are generally not acutely ill but more generally suffering from chronic illnesses or recovering from operations or falls, they are in the main elderly and so do need regular medical oversight, which can forestall emergencies. Is this going to put yet more pressure on hard pressed casualty units in Stoke Mandeville and Oxford? Also, it makes a great deal of difference to elderly and vulnerable patients to know that they are being looked after by local doctors and that they see the same people all the time. Otherwise, they might just as well be in the impersonal Stoke Mandeville or JR, seeing someone different every day (or in this case every week!).

    COULD THE

  • Statement by family of sexual offence victim

    “THE family of the child who was sexually abused by Nick Graves would like to thank all those who worked on this case and everybody who has supported us throughout this difficult time. As a result, a guilty verdict on both counts has been found unanimously by the jury.

    “We are disappointed with the lenient sentencing from Judge Hall, especially after he had stated that he was seriously considering a custodial sentence for Nick Graves when the verdict was announced. Having denied the charges under Oath, Mr Graves has since admitted his guilt and apologised for his actions to the Probation Service.

    “The children involved have shown supreme maturity and integrity, and we are enormously proud of them all. We cannot stress enough the importance of trusting and listening to children. It is the social responsibility of all parents, carers and families to report abuse to the police. It is only through such reports that more paedophiles like Nick Graves are stopped and the cycle of their abuse is ended, resulting in a safer society for all children. ” Statement ends.

  • Towersey sex offender ‘has been punished enough’ says Judge Hall

    A Towersey man convicted of two sexual offences against an eight year-old boy, was told by the sentencing judge that he “had been punished enough.”

    In passing sentence on Nicholas Graves, Judge Julian Hall said: “I understand that the reaction might be: “lock him up and throw away the key,” but the likelihood of you offending again according to the Probation report, is very, very low and I have to consider what can be done to lessen that risk. Your references are the most glowing ever received. You have been punished already by personal catastrophy, and face an uncertain future.” (Grave’s defending counsel described how he had lost his

  • Thame Service Station wins Used Car Retailer of the Year

    THAME Service Station was awarded the Used Car Retailer of the Year Award, at the prestigious Motor Trader industry awards, held at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane London, on Wednesday (08/07/09).

    These ?Oscars? of the motor industry recognise the best performers and companies that have excelled during the tough trading climate in recent years.
    Picked from hundreds of used car retailers and shortlisted alongside four others, TSS triumphed on the evening, picking up the prestigious award in front of hundreds of industry faces.

    TSS, an independent dealer that specialises in nearly new Vauxhall, Ford and Saabs, received the award for its year on year growth since 1994, continually improving sales and customers care and now employing over 30 members of staff.

    Karl White, Managing Director of Thame Service Station, commented: ?In a tough time for the industry we?ve focussed on the core aspects of our business ? people, place and product. This award is in recognition of this strategy. The staff we employ are chosen carefully to ensure customers are given a simple and professional service, our environment is welcoming to ensure customers are comfortable to do business and our cars are picked and prepared so carefully that they are better than anyone else?s.”

    Karl continued: ?Winning this award will help add to the great reputation we have. We are already known nationally, but our local community is where we all came from and live, so we?re unashamedly supportive of local charities, societies, sports clubs, school and young people.”