Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Chinnor RFC lose out in local derby (Contributed)

    MATCH REPORT – Saturday, March 14 – Henley 19 pts v Chinnor 7 pts.

    A solid forward platform is an essential ingredient to have any chance of taking the spoils in a game of rugby. The fiery atmosphere of a local derby only but confirms this. Chinnor struggled in both the set scrums and line-outs and thus were unable to gain true momentum. Their cause was not helped by Joe Winpenny, normally a loose-head prop having to switch to the tight side. Not an easy task. With Ian Stock having to leave the field after 26 minutes play, to be closely followed by Angus Neilsen, then Chinnor’s already stretched resources were being tugged to the limit.

    With Chinnor’s University contingent touring in Japan, several changes to the starting line-up were the order of the day. Sam Jones and Christian Wade, both of Wasps Academy made their debuts at No.8 and right wing respectively, with Jack Wallace, another Academy player on the bench,Harry Jackman starting in the second row.

    Chinnor chose to play into the breeze and although it was fairly evident from the start that they were going to have a tough time in the tight exchanges, they gave a good account of themselves in the first quarter.Territorially they were on par, the deadlock being broken in the 26th minute when Charlie Hobart kicked a penalty following a Chinnor offside. Chinnor then took the lead with a fine individual try from young Christian Wade. He took the ball some 35 metres from the try line and in beating three defenders, the first by sheer pace on the outside and then jinking inside the other two, he touched down near the posts allowing James Cathcart an easy conversion.Hobart then reduced the lead with another penalty 5 minutes into stoppage time to give Chinnor a 7 points to 6 interval lead.

    With the wind at their backs, all appeared reasonably positive from a Chinnor perspective.However with possession almost drying up, they were forced to survive on scraps. The Henley scrum was becoming increasingly dominant, and with Chinnor failing to find their line-out jumpers they were continually on the back foot. A lot of plaudits here for Sam Jones who showed maturity beyond his years in trying to stabilise a scrum going backwards. It came as no surprise when Henley took the lead. After almost incessant pressure their influential No.8 and captain Matthew Payne forced his way over the line in the 57th minute. They added to this when David Clements scored from yet another series of forward drives. Immediately following this try, Chinnor brought on veteran prop Simon Matthews in the 68th minute. Obviously now not the swiftest person on the park, he nevertheless added a touch of solidity to the scrum that it had lacked most of the afternoon. Indeed it was evident that following his appearance the scrum assembled a degree of order. Although Chinnor endeavoured to play catch up rugby, the dye was already cast with local rivals Henley running out well deserved winners.

    Not an easy day for Chinnor. There is no doubt that had they been able to gain a little more possession then the result could have been much closer. That James Cathcart only had one kick at goal in the second half, and that from the half-way line, illustrates where most of the game was played in this period.However there were positives to come out of the match. Christian Wade, Sam Jones and Jack Wallace who came on early on in the second half and showed his potential by taking a high ball under pressure almost immediately after taking the field, all had excellent starts in Chinnor colours. At the other end of the age map, a word of praise for Simon Matthews -a cameo of some significance.

  • Thame homes to be leafleted about new waste collection

    AN Introductory leaflet is on its way to every home in South Oxfordshire this week, explaining about the increased range of recyclable materials soon to be collected from our doorsteps.

    From June 8, South Oxfordshire District Council will introduce a separate food waste collection so the waste that currently goes to landfill can be composted and a completely revamped recycling service so residents can recycle more than ever from their home. For the first time, South Oxfordshire residents will be able to recycle glass and food and drink cartons such as Tetra Paks from their home.

    Under the new service, residents will be given a special food waste bin that will be emptied every week for composting and a small caddy bin for storing in the kitchen. Recycling and any rubbish that can’t be recycled or composted will be collected on alternate weeks from wheeled bins.

    The leaflet has information on what bins people will receive and when they can expect to get them. It also has a helpful FAQ section to answer some of the questions people may have, such as why the council is introducing the new service, will their collection day change and where to leave bins for collection, as well as useful contacts for more information. Over the next few weeks the council will be contacting the homes it has identified as not being suitable for wheeled bins with details of their alternative arrangements.

    David Dodds, Cabinet member for waste, says:

    “As much as 80 per cent of what we throw away can be recycled, but at the moment we’re achieving about 44 per cent. Although very good, this shows there’s room for an improvement and we have to do better, not just to protect the environment but because we get charged for the amount we send to landfill – so the less we send the less we and ultimately taxpayers pay.

    ?One way we can do this is by collecting our food waste, which currently goes to landfill with our other rubbish, separately for composting. This together with our new and improved recycling service, means residents will be able to recycle glass and food and drink cartons like Tetra Paks from their home for the first time, which should make a massive difference to the amount we throw away.

    ?The leaflet that will be arriving through people’s letterboxes any day now called ?Why is my waste changing??, will explain as simply as possible how the new service will work and the key dates to help make the transition from old to new as smooth as possible.”

  • See what’s on offer to help businesses

    MANY initiatives have been launched by the Government to try to support business in these challenging economic times, and so a local business organisation has put together a list to help local business see what’s on offer.

    A great many of the various schemes are offered through the local Business Link and so the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network, working in partnership with Business Link’s Partnership Manager, Philip Wootton, has published a digest of what is on offer on OTCN’s website at:

    www.otcn.co.uk

  • Sponsored Spring walk into Blenheim Park

    A sponsored Spring Walk through the back door into Blenheim Park, will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009.
    It will be a Circular Walk, in aid of MIND, from The Cock Inn at Combe around Blenheim Park, Woodstock ? 6.5 miles ? Starting at 11a.m. This walk passes through Combe and into Blenheim Palace, which marks the site of the original Royal Manor House of Woodstock.

    In 1704 John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, defeated the French at the Battle of Blenheim. In recognition of his military feat, Queen Anne presented the Duke with the royal manor and funds to build a monumental house. The house was substantially completed by the early 1730?s. It has been described as the largest house in England, and covers some seven acres of beautiful grounds.

    Meet outside The Cock Inn in Combe which overlooks the village green. After the walk there will be a stop off at The Cock Inn for refreshments and a rest.

    Please wear comfortable shoes and take 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. For a sponsorship form or make a donation please contact: Nicky Clargo:

    01865 263733 or Email: nicky.clargo@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

    OTHER MIND EVENTS COMING UP

    Talk by Melvyn Bragg, Friday, 27th March 2009, 5.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m., at The Taylor Institution, St Giles, Oxford Melvyn Bragg is an Author, Broadcaster and the President of Mind. He will be talking about his acclaimed series of ‘autobiographical’ novels (The Soldier’s Return, A Son of War, Crossing the Lines and Remember Me) following the journey of a young man from Cumbria to Oxford and London. This event was kindly organised by Kath Thomson. Admission will be

  • Council seeks views on Lea Park play area

    FLUSH with the success of its redevelopment of the Southern Road Recreation area in Thame, now known as the South Pole, Thame Town Council is setting its sights on Queen Elizabeth Circle, off Roundhead Drive.

    A Project Officer has been employed, Lauren Wright, and she wants to hear from Lea Park residents, particularly children, about what they think should happen in the play area.

    In a letter to residents, the town council says: “The play area is currently used to its maximum capacity, which has in turn made the equipment dated and in need of replacing. We would like the play area to appeal to a wider age range by offering imaginative, adventurous and motivating equipment for a prolonged period of time. The area has the potential to be expanded, developed or changed completely.”

    Comments and designs can be sent by Friday, March 20, 2009, to the Town Hall, High Street, Thame, OX9 3DP or emailed to lauren.wright@thametowncouncil.gov.uk

  • Have your say on the future development of Thame

    FOLLOWING the district council Cabinet’s approval of the so-called Core Strategy for the future development of South Oxfordshire (see previous article – 850 new homes for Thame? – March 11, 2009), an exhibition is to be held in Thame as part of the the consultation process.

    The consultation period will be from Friday, March 20 until May, 01 2009, during which time South Oxfordshire District Council will be holding a series of exhibitions of the ‘Preferred Options? for where significant areas of housing and employment growth will take place in the district up until 2026. The one for Thame will be held at the Barns centre, off Church road on March 31, from 1-7pm.

    To find out more and how you can get involved, visit LINK
     or phone planning policy on 01491 823725.

    Photo: Copyright Bob Clay

  • Thame councillor defends micro chipped wheelie bins

    THAME’S Councillor David Dodds, has defended the district council’s plans to micro-chip new wheelie bins to be introduced in June.

    Cllr Dodds, who is also a District Councillor responsible for Waste, denied today on local radio that information collected about the amount of waste householders put in their wheelie bins, will lead to them being penalised and said that there are no plans for billing by weight.

    Cllr Dodds said that the chips will be used to weigh the amount of waste to make sure that the vehicles used for collecting the waste are not overloaded, but admited that if there is too much rubbish not being recycled by certain streets or areas, those residents will be leafleted about the benefits of recycling.

  • Thame school goes bananas for Fairtrade

    TO bring their celebrations for Fairtrade Fortnight to a close on a high note, John Hampden Primary School in Thame went bananas on Friday! (March 02)

    The school joined another 400,000 banana eaters from Woking to the Windward Islands, in the world?s biggest ever banana-eating event! Everybody ate at least one Fairtrade banana ? generously donated by the Thame Co-Op ? and enjoyed arty and musical fun as well, including a banana assembly with banana songs.

    The kitchen staff baked a delicious banana cake for the school dinner pudding. More than 260 healthy Fairtrade bananas were consumed and the skins added to the school composting.

    During the Fortnight, the Fairtrade group also held a cake sale and a staff coffee (and cake) morning. Everyone enjoyed the yummy cakes made with Fairtrade ingredients and the REAL Fairtrade coffee!

    Photo: Flash back to John Hampden school’s Carnival entry in June 2007 – they obviously love bananas!

  • New Swimming Club for Thame (Contributed)

    THE new Thame Swimming Club (TSC), which is affiliated to the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association), will provide competitive swimming and training for children up to 18 years old at Thame Leisure Centre.

    The club has the support of Thame Town Council and Lord Williams?s School. Significant pool time has been secured from the April 17, to allow the development of all swimmers at TSC. In addition to pool time, the club will also benefit from ‘land training’ facilities which will be provided by Lord Williams?s School.

    Rebecca Brightling?s design for a club logo has been chosen by the acting committee in a recent competition open to all TSC members. The new logo will be prominent on all club kit and is a stylised THAME in the shape of a fish. The winner and all entries received a prize from Waitrose of Thame which was appreciated by all.

    Application and Membership forms are now available and coaching under the guidance of Head Coach, Dave Jones MIOS, FIOS, FIOS(CC), BSCTA starts in Thame on April 17. Dave will be supported by five other qualified coaches, all of whom have agreed to coach at TSC on a regular basis. They are Charlotte Oughton, Rob Briars, Cara Evans, Lorna Whitehead and Karen Powell.

    For more information on membership, sponsorship and the activities of Thame Swimming Club, contact:

    secretary@thameswimmingclub.co.uk

    Club Mobile 07722 219361

    Photo:
    Coaches – Left to right, Charlotte Oughton, Rob Briars, Head Coach David Jones, Cara Evans and Karen Powell

    Front row – some of the entrants and the winner of the the Logo competition:
    L to R: Rhiannon Hayward, Phoebe Groves, WINNER Rebecca Brightling, Olivia Hawkes, Danielle Kidd, Christopher Harbour and Maisie Randall

  • Draw a picture of your mum and win a diamond pendant

    A THAME jeweller is inviting children to draw or paint a picture of their mum and win a real, diamond necklace.

    The Mother?s Day competition is being organised by jewellery store, Biagio, in Greyhound Walk, Thame.

    As well as the main prize, a diamond pendant worth