Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Local businesses gather to hear economic plans for Thame

    THAME businesses met at the Spread Eagle, Thame, yesterday to hear the latest developments in an economic development plan for the town.

    After a introduction by Thame First ‘anchor man’ Matthew Cundy, Peter Farquar, Manager of The Spread Eagle, welcomed members and guests, including the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, and then Caroline Wood, Economic Development Officer for South Oxfordshire District Council, explained why the plan was necessary and what would soon be happening in the town to kick start the plan.

    “Market towns are changing and need support,” she said. Caroline explained that part of the plan was to commission a visitor survey to find out who was coming to the town, what they are using it for and why they may go somewhere else. She suggested that everyone could help by asking their employees whether they shop in the town, and if not, why not?

    “We will share all that information with you,” she continued, “and work with consultants too who have expertise and skills to work out what makes your town unique and special and use that information to market the town with key attractions, and encourage entrepreneurs into the town.”

    A business survey is soon to be carried out in Thame, which will see questioners out and about at locations throughout the town.

    Caroline asked that the town’s businesses help them (SODC) to move forward and work with Thame First and 21st Century Thame.

    “There is a pot of money for the grabbing,” (SEEDA funding and

  • Appeal after swans killed in Thame

    THE RSPCA has issued an urgent appeal for information after two cygnets were found dead, in Thame.

    The bodies of the cygnets were discovered last Friday, June 12, 2009, at Priest End. One body was apparently floating in the water and the other was on the riverbank.
    It is not known how the swans died but RSPCA inspector, Martin Rivett, was reportedly told that youths had been seen swinging bottles on ropes at the swans from a bridge on Wednesday.

    He said: “It is hard to tell how the cygnets had died, especially as the one on the bank had since been attacked by another animal.

    “However, if they were the targets of such an appalling and deliberate attack, we need to hear from anyone who knows anything about this.”

    Anyone found guilty of injuring or killing a protected wild bird could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a

  • Thousands of pounds worth of gardening equipment stolen in Thame

    THE Police are appealing for witnesses following a break-in at an industrial unit in Thame, where gardening equipment worth more than

  • Marmite and re-cycling

    Dear Editor, Week two of the new recycle system and I admit that it went smoothly at my address. Most of the backlog of paper, cans etc. fitted in to the green bin. It is fair to say that I remain sad for Grundon?s, whose superb service has disappeared, apparently unsung.

    There remain problems which maybe only the initiates of the new green theology can answer. Take Marmite. As someone once said to me: ?There always a bit more you can get out of a Marmite jar.? A Marmite container is very difficult indeed to clean. Soak it in tap water and washing up liquid and that takes a small environmental toll. You may even have to use more washing up liquid and more water to clean the now Marmited sink.

    Throw the jar unwashed into the recycling and someone, somwhere, will have to deal with the eventually pulverised Marmited mess. Put the jar in the food recycling and the content is fine but not the glass or plastic. Oh dear. And then there are tomato sauce containers. Such are the problems of the dutiful citizenry.

    Norman Brand
    Fanshawe Road
    Thame

    Ed. The answer I find is to soak the marmite jar in hot, soapy water and then use a washing up brush to get the residual marmite out from under the lip of the jar. Works a treat!

  • Pack available to assess “How safe is your home?”

    THIS is a Ringmaster message from Thames Valley Police. The Home Office has introduced a new Self-assessment tool to help people check their home security. An online questionnaire “How Safe is Your Home” is available and takes approximately three minutes to complete.

    If you haven’t already completed this questionnaire, please visit: LINK

    There is also a FREE advice pack available from the Home Office which contains burglary leaflets, discount vouchers on home security products from some leading DIY stores and details of the Policing Pledge. This pack contains a copy of the Home Security Self Assessment questionnaire, for those of you who are unable to carry it out online.

    Only one pack will be issued per person, so each NHW member will have to order their own pack. Call the Home Office Publications Department FREE on 0800 456 1213.

    Please pass these details onto all members of your NHW scheme, thank you.

  • Offer of help as debt worries grow in Thame (Status: News letter from Thame CAB)

    DEBT is a growing problem both nationally and locally. Only last year Thame CAB office dealt with 434 enquiries about debt. In these days of the credit crunch and concerns about job security, we are all anxious about where our money goes, from paying the mortgage or rent, to buying new shoes for our growing children.

    Whatever your financial worries, the free, confidential, independent debt advice that we offer can help you resolve them and prevent similar problems happening again in the future. Don?t bury your head in the sand. Give yourself this financial health check today!

    Debt ? the danger signs

    ? Do you avoid opening your bills?

    ? Do you have no savings and live on an
    overdraft?

    ? Do you regularly use your credit card to get
    cash or pay for your shopping?

    ? Do you not know how much you owe?

    ? Do you only pay the minimum payment on your
    credit cards?

    ? Are you borrowing money to pay off other
    debts?

    If you do any of these, you could well be on the road to a debt problem, so get advice as soon as you can before it gets worse. For free, confidential and independent advice click on www.adviceguide.org.uk or telephone Thame Citizens Advice Bureau:for an appointment 01844 217186.

    Photo: Tom Fox, the Manager of Thame’s Citizens’ advice Bureaux

  • Ad hoc team wins junior tug-of-war

    A TEAM of students from Lord Williams’s school in Thame, one the junior tug-of-war challenge at the Carnival fete on Saturday – after coming together at the last minute!

    After seeing the adults in their contest, one of the students asked the organisers, Thame Lions, why there wasn’t a contest for young people. He was then told that if he went off and found enough of his friends for two teams, they could have a match. In the meantime, two other teams appeared and the resulting matches left that student’s ad hoc team the victors.

  • Obsidian Art Gallery 4 June – 5 July, 2009

    EXHIBITION of local artists, including Alan Kidd from Thame, as part of Bucks Open Studios – At the Obsidian Art Gallery, Layby Farm, Old Risborough Road,
    Stoke Mandeville, Bucks HP22 5XJ; 01296 612150.

    Meet he Artist – Sunday, 21 June, 2009, 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

    IMAGE: Harvest Storm by Alan Kidd 700×490 watercolour

  • Chinnor & Sydenham School Reunion

    A SCHOOL Reunion is being held for pupils who attended Sydenham School (up until its closure in 1948), and also for Chinnor School, in the late 1940?s/50?s/early 60?s.

    The reunion will be held in Old School Room, Sydenham, on Friday 26th June, 2009, from 7.30pm. Please bring a bottle, and a plate of food.

    Contact Christine Bishop (Buckingham/Silver) 01844 281645. If you were at either school around this time, we hope to see you there!

  • Thumbs Up for Thame carnival and fete!

    HUNDREDS of local families lined Thame’s High Street on Saturday, to watch one of the most colourful and entertaining carnival processions in recent years.

    The overall winning entry, judged by the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot-Green, and Thame’s MP, John Howell, was John Hampden School with their walking entry with singing and colourful, hard-hitting message about conserving the planet. Barley Hill school won the walking entry class and Tanya School of Dancing, the the motorised float section.

    The floats this year included Racquets Fitness Centre, their entry including a member of the squash club actually hitting a squash ball against a mobile wall being carried by two, very fit fellow members! They were followed by several fitness club members demonstrating in unison, exercises on large, blue ‘Fit’ balls. The Racquets’ team were also celebrating after winning the tug-of-war contest in the main arena at the fete, which followed the procession, on the Southern Road recreation area. There were also four junior tug of war teams competing in the junior challenge.

    The Thame Classic Motor Club, which led the parade, behind the fire engine, paraded around the arena, followed by a fire juggler who ‘wowed’ the crowd with his awesome display of fire juggling. Thame United’s goalie was kept very busy keeping out shots from mums, dads and children with his ‘Beat the goalie’ challenge.

    The Red Kites scooter club attracted a lot of interest from us ex-mods, conjuring up memories of parkers, desert boots and mass rides to Margate in the early 1960’s.

    The Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot-Green, told ThameNews.Net today: “I thought the whole day was marvellous, right from the start with the classic cars leading the parade through the town, and the lovely sight of so many people and especially the children from the three primary schools who had gone to so much trouble with their wonderful costumes!

    “And then to arrive at the fete to see so many stalls run by local businesses, charities and community groups – such a heart-warming example of the town coming together.

    “It was wonderful to see our twinning friends from Montesson who did so well with their stall and had such demand for crepes, that they had to send off for more fuel for the generator that was powering their hot plate!

    “It was such a privalege to wave the flag to start the 24 hour, Classic car club’s tour of the town, which the club ran for charity.

    “The whole day was perfect, of course helped so much by the sun which shone over us for the whole afternoon – an unforgettable day!”