Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Grateful thanks from Carnival and fete organisers

    AS memories of a great Thame carnival and fete 2009 settle into the collective memory of the town, the lead organisers, 21st Century Thame, have expressed their thanks to all those local organisations who helped make it the tremendous success it was.

    Particular appreciation has been extended to the following:

    Thame Guides and Brownies
    Thame Lions
    Chinnor Rugby Club
    Thame Red Kites Scooter Club
    Rotary Club of Thame
    Thame Town Council
    Lighthouse and Thame churches
    The three primary schools

    and particularly to unsung, individuals like Mary Stiles who, it has since transpired, by herself, litter-picked on the Southern Road Recreation ground after the fete.

  • Fairtrade status for Thame primary school

    PROUD pupils and staff of John Hampden Primary learned recently that their school had been awarded Fairtrade School Status in recognition of their work for supporting the Fairtrade movement.

    The school has been actively promoting Fairtrade within the school itself and in the wider community of Thame for several years, ever since the Fairtrade/One World theme of the Thame Festival in 2005.

    A spokesperson for the school said: “The children have worked enthusiastically to encourage people to use Fairtrade products so that the producers get a fair deal. Choosing to buy Fairtrade is something that everyone can do without donating money, and can be life-changing for the people who grow our food. And we have fun doing it! Like Going Bananas in Fairtrade Fortnight this year, where we ate several hundred bananas as part of a banana eating record attempt.

    “We hold tastings of Fairtrade products, have cake sales using Fairtrade ingredients and regularly run a Fairtrade cafe at our school events. In class, pupils learn about Fairtrade and have campaigned successfully for the local Co-Op to sell the Dubble chocolate bar. Now our efforts have been rewarded by the Fairtrade Foundation and we are really excited to be one of the first schools in the county to have achieved Fairtrade School Status.”

  • Exciting summer events for families with disabled children

    THOMLEY Activity Centre is a unique recreational facility for disabled children, their families, siblings, and friends. It is situated on the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire border in seven acres of beautiful countryside and offers a safe and supportive setting for children to play, learn and explore.

    There are a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and abilities, allowing everyone to have fun, make new friends, and most of all, feel accepted. Activities vary from outdoor activities including; a football pitch; 1km cycle track; zip wire and outdoor play area to numerous indoor areas including; arts and craft; computer room; soft play area and the very popular sensory room.

    Listings for 18th July 2009 ? 19th October 2009

    o Saturday 18th July ? Closed for staff training

    o Tuesday 21st July ? Saturday 29th August ? Summer holidays at Thomley Activity Centre begin on Tuesday 21st July, running Tuesday to Saturday each week until Saturday 29th August, which will be our carnival themed annual open day. All of the usual activities can be found at Thomley during the summer but we?ll also be celebrating our chosen theme…different types of days out, trips and adventure! Each day will be filled with varied activities from teddy bear?s picnic, trips to the farm and carnival creations so why not contact the office to see what?s on?

    The following days are our focus days during the summer holidays which we currently have spaces for –

    o Tuesday 21st July ? Teenager days – For all disabled young people aged between 10- 19yrs, their parents/ carers and younger siblings are also welcome. Teenage days provide a great opportunity to socialise with other teenagers, to make new friends and try out various activities, including the very popular 1km cycle track. Organised activities also include karaoke and street dance workshops.

    o Saturday 25th July ? Quiet days: – Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone. Organised activities for the day include outdoor giant games from snakes and ladders, jenga, and connect 4.

    o Tuesday 28th July ? Disability preschool day: – For disabled pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs but older siblings are also welcome) accompanied by their parents/ carers. Sensory art, craft and play ideas are available throughout the day to celebrate our teddy bear?s picnic event!

    o Saturday 1st August ? Community day – Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our all the usual activities from soft play to the 1km cycle track. Additional activities will be inspired by local museums around Thomley including rockets galore from Oxford Science Museum and George?s marvelous recipes from Roald Dahl?s museum in Bucks.

    o Tuesday 4th August – Adult day- Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room and garden or just have a chat and a cup of tea. Additional activities include a drumming workshop by Umbanda between 1-3pm.

    o Saturday 8th August ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy all the usual activities at Thomley but also have the opportunity to join in our ?Right Royal Fancy Dress Day!? From princesses to knights, there will also be the chance for creative outdoor fort building!

    o Tuesday 11th August – Preschool day- For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

    o Saturday 15th August ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy all the usual activities at Thomley. Additional activities include organised mini beast hunts throughout the day to look for creepy crawlies to birds of prey within the centre?s 7 acre site.

    o Wednesday 19th August ? Teenage day – For all disabled young people aged between 10- 19yrs, their parents/ carers and younger siblings are also welcome. Teenage days provide a great opportunity to socialise with other teenagers, to make new friends and try out various activities, including the very popular 1km cycle track. Additional activities for the day are inspired by relaxing spa treatments including foot spas and soothing creative activities e.g. candle making.

    o Saturday 22nd August ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy all the usual activities at Thomley. Additional activities include sensory play inspired from around the world including Italian pasta, British jelly and Chinese rice play!

    o Tuesday 25th August – Adult day- Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea. Additional carnival themed activities include t-shirt screen printing so remember to bring your own t-shirt!

    o Saturday 29th August ? Annual Open Day (Open from 11am-3pm, no booking required and open to everyone) ? Carnival inspired open day with a variety of activities throughout the day including face painting, outdoor carnival float building, drumming workshop and a sponsored walk, push and cycle event! Call the office for more details of how to join in and raise money for the sponsored event.

    o Tuesday 1st ? Saturday 5th September ? Thomley will be closed for essential maintenance.

    o Wednesday to Friday ? school term time ? Open to special schools and mainstream schools who include students with additional learning needs. Activities can be tailor-made to compliment school projects.

    o Tuesday 8th September ? Adult day – Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

    o Saturday 12th September ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy all the usual activities at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

    o Tuesday 15th September – Preschool day – For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

    o Saturday 19th September ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

    o Saturday 26th September – Quiet days: – Quiet days are specifically designed for families and children with disabilities who might prefer a quieter day. Numbers are limited to 30 children and are a birthday party free zone.

    o Saturday 3rd October ? Community Dad and male carers day- Lots of opportunities for Dads and male carers, accompanying children with and without disabilities, to meet others for a chat or to simply join in with a variety of activities. This includes our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Tuesday 6th October ? Adult day – Open to disabled adults (16+) and their carers to try out a variety of art and craft activities, relax in a rural environment, chill out in the sensory room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

    o Saturday 10th October ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

    o Tuesday 13th October – Preschool day – For all pre-school toddlers and babies (up to the age of 6yrs) with and without disabilities accompanied by their parents/ carers. Activities are designed for children to play, explore and most importantly get messy!

    o Saturday 17th October – Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy a variety of indoor activities and outdoor equipment at Thomley including the soft play area, art and craft room and the 1km cycle track.

    N.B. Open from 10am-3.30pm / All children must be accompanied by their parents/carers. Advance booking is essential.
    Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ,
    Tel/fax: 01844 338380. Web: www.thomleyhall.org, Email: enquiries@thomleyhall.org

  • Police seek ‘Subaru-type’ drivers (Status: Press release)

    THE Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision that occurred on Sunday (21/6/09)) on the M40.

    At around 8.40pm, there was a collision between a blue Suzuki Swift and a silver Vauxhall Astra on the southbound carriageway between junctions four (High Wycombe) and three.

    The driver of the Suzuki, a woman, was taken to Wexham Park Hospital with minor injuries. She has since been discharged.

    PC Michael Sapwell, who is investigating the collision, said: “I would like to hear from anyone that may have seen the vehicles prior to the collision or who witnessed the collision itself.

    “I would also like to hear from anyone that may have seen two ?Subaru-type? vehicles travelling along this stretch of road at the time, as they may have had some involvement in the collision.”

    Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Sapwell at Amersham Roads Policing bas via 0845 8 505 505. If you don?t want to talk to police or leave your name, please contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

  • MBE shock for local Eventing trainer

    A local woman, well known in the national Eventing circuit, has been awarded an MBE in the recent Queen’s birthday Honours list.

    Gillian Watson, British Young Rider trainer and selector lives in Postcombe. She received her MBE for services to equestrian sport, her speciality being the training of British junior and eventing young people, many of whom compete at a European level.

    Gillian told Thamenews.net: “Now that I have got over the shock, I am very pleased and honoured to have been given this award.”

    Gillian said that she particularly enjoys working with 14-21 year-olds:

    “We have some very good up-and-coming young riders like Gold Medeallist, Emily LLewellyn, with whom we are working towards the 2016 olympics, if not 2012.”

  • Promotion opportunity for Thame businesses

    THAME businesses are being offered the opportunity to promote themselves by joining the list of sponsors for this year’s Thame Food Festival in September.

    The festival will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009, and will be based in and around the Thame town hall, with market stalls, al fresco dining, demonstrations and workshops for children.

    The aim is to support local food producers, outlets, pubs and restaurants by providing a different platform to promote their businesses. The event is being held in conjunction with The Local Flavours Festival from 1 ? 30 September, see: www.local-flavours.net

    By helping to celebrate local food and drink in the beautiful historic market town of Thame and its unique independent retail offering, sponsors will be taking advantage of a fantastic opportunity to be part of a growing Festival in a vibrant town.

    All sponsor organisations will have their logos on the 21st Century Thame website at: www.21stcenturythame.org.uk
     (with links to their websites) and be acknowledged in all publicity material.

    Anyone interested in sponsoring the Thame Food Festival, is invited to contact Alison Isherwood, 21st Century Thame Project Officer, e-mail:

    ai@21stcenturythame.org.uk
    tel: 01844 215215, mobile: 07944 175633

  • Thame County Councillor questioned over special unit

    THAME’S county councillor, Nick Carter, was asked about a lack of finance for the Chinnor Resource Unit for Autistic children, at St Andrews school, which he described as “almost falling down.”

    The Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, told Cllr Carter at Thame Town Council’s meeting last Tuesday (16.06.09): “This is very worrying because there are children from Thame who attend the unit.”

    Cllr Carter admitted that an enormous capital investment was need for the building, but that OCC’s stated intention to make the money available in four years time, would be too late as: “It will probably have fallen down by then!”

    He said he would look into the matter and see what could be done.

  • Chiltern Rail ‘flasher’ sought

    A MAN who exposed himself out of the window of a train near High Wycombe is being sought by British Transport Police.

    The man was apparently a passenger on the 08.24 service from Marylebone to Bicester North, on Friday, May 15, 2009.

    As the train left High Wycombe station at around 9am, he performed a sexual act on himself facing out of the train window, whilst trying to film himself with a camera or mobile phone.

    After High Wycombe, the train stopped at Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Haddenham and Thame Parkway, arriving at Bicester North around 9.40am.

    The man is thought to have left the train at Bicester North and returned to the station the following day asking about London bound trains.

    He is described as a white, about 30 years-old, and 5ft 10 with short dark hair and a muscular build.
    He was wearing a suit and pilot style sunglasses. He is also believed to have been wearing some form of ID badge around his neck, which he then placed in his shirt breast pocket.

    PC Dean Percival of British Transport Police said: “We have been carrying out enquiries and are hopeful that by releasing these images someone will be able to identify the suspect.”

    Call BTP with information, on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting background incident number B4 19-06-09 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

  • What about the plastic Marmite jar?

    A SPLENDID idea re Marmite glass jars. Marmite makes a splendid hot drink. Fine with the glass jars but would the plastic of a squeezable Marmite container, to which boiling water is added, taint the brew? I find squeezable Marmite jars jolly handy and economical.

    I am sad about this because when the the plastic variety first appeared I was inclined to start a campaign for Real Marmite jars.

    To change the subject, a dash of vinegar in a near-empty bottle of salad cream helps to rinse out the cointainer. It also dilutes the flavour though. My wife gets very fed up when, in order to be a good citizien, I rinse out tomato soup containers. The sink goes orange. Then she cleans it. Which has priority: domestic harmony or South Oxon DC?

    NB
    Fanshawe Road
    23/06/09

  • Criticism of refuge collection service

    Dear Editor, I am writing to you regarding the new refuge collection service and state what a poor service we are getting.
    Firstly for the last 3-4- weeks have emailed s.o.d.c. regarding the waste food bags we have not received nor as anyone else in the maisonettes at Parliament Road and still not had a reply from them and secondly have been ringing the special number given cannot get through for the last 3 weeks. As I cant get through anyway to s.o.d.c. I decide to contact Thame Council which they told me that they have had loads of complaints from residents in Parliament Road regarding the non delivery of waste food bags but guess what STILL NO BAGS, but I was told to use newspaper until they come, so hence this is what I done to find out the bin still has food in it and very mouldy and smelly this is really nice for people who pay there council tax on time I think they should reduce our council tax until they actually do a service for what we are paying .
    for. Not that we have to put up with the eyesore of these bins and causing havoc in the hallways special as I have an elderly gentleman living below me which walks with a frame we have to put up with bins not being emptied properly. I look forward to hearing coments regarding this matter.
    Yours sincerley

    Mrs C Williams
    Parliament Road
    Thame
    (full address supplied)
    23/06/09