Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Join The Big Tidy Up

    FOLLOWING the success of last September’s Big Tidy Up and OxClean Spring Clean 2008, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) is coordinating another countywide litter tidy up this March.

    OxClean?s annual spring clean event will take place on March 6 and 7 and this year local councils will be supporting resident tidy ups around the county for the rest of the month.

    Any group can get help and support organising a spring clean. District councils will be providing litter-picking equipment and taking away any collected litter and recyclables.

    In addition to this support, OWP is again offering a

  • New pool contractor promises ‘green’ improvements

    GREENWICH Leisure Ltd, the company which will run Thame Leisure Centre from April, will sub-contract the day to day running of the leisure centre to its local partner, Nexus Community Leisure. Nexus will also run the other leisure centres in south oxfordshire, formerly run by SOLL Leisure.

    As part of their proposal GLL pledged to increase the number of people using the leisure centres, reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions, and introduce a brand new leisure pass scheme.

    South Oxfordshire District Council, states: “The deal not only offers an improved service to residents and contributes to a better environment but also provides better value for money.”

    The new contract is due to start on April 1, 2009 when the current service with SOLL Leisure comes to an end and will run for five years and five months until 31 August 2014. The council has stated that it expects most if not all of SOLL?s staff to transfer to Nexus and, therefore, does not anticipate any job losses.

  • Lorry in ditch off M40

    THE M40 between junctions Six (Lewknor) and seven for Thame, is now running freely following after an incident this morning.

    At around 7am this morning, a lorry left the main carriageway coming to rest in a ditch.

    It is not known at this time whether anyone was injured.

  • Thame Off Licence robbed

    TWO Thame shop works were left traumatised after a man walked into a Thame Off Licence, demanded that the doors be locked and the shop takings handed over.

    The robbery took place on Friday evening (21/02)shortly after 10pm at Whittall’s (formerly Unwins)in Thame High Street.

    The man, described as of dark complexion and with a northern accent, left the shop on foot. It is believed that a second man may have been involved.

    The police are investigating the possibility that the offender(s) may have been caught on CCTV cameras in the area.

    Anyone with information that may help the police can contact PC Matthew Hallen on 0845 8 505 505

  • Wheatley robber remanded in custody

    A man charged with a robbery at a store in Wheatley, near Thame, has been remanded in custody.

    Jon Shirley, aged 23m of no fixed abode, faces charges relating to three other robberies in the county, one attempted robbery and two firearms offences.

    Jon Shirley is to appearf before Oxford Crown Court again on April 20.

    A second man, Jamie Worthington-Hale, 35, of Stockleys Road, Oxford, also appeared in court charged with assisting an offender.

    He was granted bail and ordered to appear at Oxford Crown Court again on April 27.

  • Financial crisis means more work for Thame CAB

    THAME Citizens Advice Bureau is to open for three extra hours per week, because of an increase in the number of local people coming to them with financial problems.

    The rise in the number of people desperate for advice in coping with money worries in the current economic crisis, is a nation-wide problem.

    The government has made

  • Swap Shop returns to Thame in March

    THE popular Swap Shop, held from time to time in Thame, is coming again on Saturday, March 7, to Thame town hall, between 10am and 12 noon.

    No doubt in these times of financial strain for most people, this latest Swap Shop will be even better attended. Local people can either take along or take for free CDs, DVDs, Videos, Books, Clothes, Bric-a-brac, Toys and games and Household items.

    Recycle stations will be available for the following items:

    Inkjet cartridges
    Mobile phones
    Spectacles
    Household batteries
    Clean foil

    Electrical items are not permitted.

    For further information contact Alison Isherwood, 21st Century Thame Project Officer on 07944 175633 or e-mail ai@21stcenturythame.org.uk

  • Valentine’s day victory for Chinnor RFC seconds (contributed)

    SATURDAY, February 14; CHINNOR 2XV 29 pts OLD ALBANIANS 17pts – Match report:

    The seconds arranged a late friendly against Old Albanians 2XV. On paper this looked to be an easy ride for Chinnor 2’s, the visitors flying high in Cantebury League 4 while the home side still have an outside chance of winning Canterbury League 2.

    The game proved far from easy although Chinnor romped to a 22 – 5 lead at half time. Points came from tries by Hackshaw and two by young front row specialist Joe Pickett. Joes second was a sterling solo effort from 50 metres. James Cathcart in his second game back from a shoulder injury added two conversions and a penalty.

    In the second half Chinnor were put under some pressure from the visitors who refused to go home without a fight. Cathcart put all the points on the board for Chinnor in the second half going over to complete an excellent break from centre Ollie Whiteside which he converted.

    It was good to see the 2XV renowned team spirit back with captain Rob Fenwick back and man of the match Andy Millburn putting in a hard experienced performance.

    The seconds arranged a late friendly against Old Albanians 2XV. On paper this looked to be an easy ride for Chinnor 2’s. The visitors flying high in Cantebury League 4 while the home side still have an outside chance of winning Canterbury League 2.

    The game proved far from easy although Chinnor romped to a 22 – 5 lead at half time. Points came from tries by Hackshaw and two by young front row specialist Joe Pickett. Joes second was a sterling solo effort from 50 metres. James Cathcart in his second game back from a shoulder injury added two conversions and a penalty.

    In the second half Chinnor were put under some pressure from the visitors who refused to go home without a fight.Cathcart put all the points on the board for Chinnor in the second half going over to complete an excellent break from centre Ollie Whiteside which he converted.

    It was good to see the 2XV renowned team spirit back with captain Rob Fenwick back and man of the match Andy Millburn putting in a hard experienced performance.

    This week Chinnor 2XV v Canterbury 2XV at Kingsey Road 2.30pm kick off.

  • Could Thame have the World Champion public speaker?

    LOVE was the theme of the winning speech at Thame Speakers Club’s annual speech competition last week, setting its deliverer off on road that could end with a World title.

    Phil Rose’s speech, entitled What is love? included some moving and intriguing responses, scoring highly enough to defeat three other contestants, Ian Brearly, Richard Moore and Angus Galbraith. Phil will now move on as the Club?s representative in an area wide competition to be held in St Mary?s Centre, Haddenham, on March 30.

    Thame Speakers Club is one of more than 10,500 Toastmasters Clubs throughout the world. Each Spring approximately 50,000 members around the world compete in Club level contests. Through eliminations in competitions at area, division and regional levels, nine contestants will gather in the US and vie for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.

    Phil Rose has taken the first step on what could be a long journey.

  • Robbery from moped attemp on Wheatley student (Status: press release)

    THE Police are appealing for witnesses after two men tried to grab a bag from a 23-year-old student in Wheatley on Sunday (February 15).

    At around 9pm, a man was walking along the High Street near Bell Lane when two people on a moped came up behind him and tried to grab his bag from him.

    It is believed that the people on the moped are both men and that they were wearing dark jumpers and trousers and dark-coloured helmets.

    PC Matt Rantle, investigating the incident, said: “The moped had previously been seen going the wrong way down the High Street, against the one-way system. I appeal to anyone who might have any information about this offence to get in touch.”

    Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact PC Rantle at Thame police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don?t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

    18/02/09