Author: Sonja Francis

  • Is eating out in London still an option for cash-stretched Thamensians?

    ACCORDING to ex Thame, now London-based food and wine fanatic, Eddie Francis, its essential! Here’s Eddie’s take on where and how to make the most of your eating experience in London, in the first of a series of regular features.

    IF one is to believe the press, the end of the world is just around the corner. A financial meltdown is pending and there?s nothing any of us can do to stop it from crashing down all around us: causing untold chaos and destruction throughout the land. Providing you have not fallen victim of your own success – or the success of the institutions whose coffers you have been callously filling in the hope of a fat bonus in time for that last minute blow out skiing trip to the slopes ? the chances are that a little belt tightening, a pinch of restraint and a large dollop of patience will see you through. Staying positive ? I have concluded ? is the key to survival.

    Wrapping yourself up at home; turning off the heating and switching off the lights; shivering over stale bread and water will not do you ? or anyone else – any favours. Life is still for living, Army?s are made for fighting, and these are fighting times. If you believe Napoleon when he said ?An Army marches on its stomach? then what you eat has never mattered more.

    For one reason or another, you will probably find yourself making the journey up to London once in a while, and whilst there you will no doubt spend some of your hard earned cash on something to eat. As a resident of this fine city, and avid ‘foodie’, my column ? that will be appearing sporadically on this fine local site ? will give you the heads up and the low down, on the best places to eat, drink and be merry in ‘the smoke’ (and occasionally other outposts of culinary greatness!)

    From a recession proof

  • Haddenham news and events

    Sat 1st/Sun 2nd A Decade On. Haddenham Museum will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with a full programme of videos, talks, slide shows and performances in the Methodist Chapel, High St, (10.30am-4.30pm on both days) as well as static displays in the chapel and museum. Museum president and local actor Bruce Alexander(Superintendent Mullett in ‘Touch of Frost’ etc) will formally open
    proceedings at 11am on Saturday and The Haddenham Chronicles No 6 will be launched. Costumed members of Haddenham Players will help give the weekend an historic flavour and there will be a display of vintage vehicles in the adjacent Peking Rendezvous car park.
    The weekend ends with a service on Sunday (4pm) led by the Rev Derick Chambers with the Witchert Chorale.

    Sat 1st Compassionate Friends. The Haddenham group of The Compassionate Friends (UK), a group run by and for bereaved parents, is holding its next meeting in Haddenham on Saturday (2- 4pm). Call Joan on 292512 for details of the venue or to register an interest for future monthly meetings, which are held in the village on alternate months.

    Sat 1st Ceilidh. Grand Union will provide the music for the ceilidh (8pm) in Haddenham Village Hall and Haddenham Hoofers will demonstrate their Appalachian step dancing. In addition ? with the
    same entry ticket (

  • Conservatives win Thame by- election in lowest turnout for years

    THE people of Thame’s North ward yesterday failed to show much enthusiasm for a by-election to select their representative on the South Oxfordshire District Council.
    In one of the lowest turnouts for years, only 839 votes were cast from among an electorate of over 4,000.

    The winner, for the Conservative Party, was Michael Welply, currently a Thame Town Councillor and formerly a district councillor, with 423 votes.

    In second place were the Liberal Democrats, their candidate, Town Councillor Jeannette Matelot Green, gaining 287 votes. The Labour Party’s candidate, Mary Stiles, a former town and district councillor, gained 127 votes.

    After the announcement of the results by the Assistant Returning Officer, Cllr Welply said: “I am delighted to be back. However, I am really disappointed with the turnout.
    “In some African countries you get shot for trying to vote. We are so lucky to have the privilege; it is a shame if we don’t take advantage of that opportunity.”

    He added: “I intend to do my utmost to do the very best for the town of Thame which is in dire need of a shake up from the District Council, and I look to our esteemed Leader (Ann Ducker, who was present) to help and support us.”

    Photo: The three Thame North candidates show that there are no hard feelings after the count last night, in which Mike Welply won the seat.

  • Young people to be shown graphic consequences of risk taking on the roads

    THE Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign, which aims to make young drivers and passengers aware of risks on the roads, will be shown over the next two weeks to 14,000 students across the Thames Valley.
    This will be the third year the Safe Drive Stay Alive theatre event will be shown to 16-18-year-olds. The film shows a group of young people on a night out whose car is involved in a collision and explores the circumstances that can lead to a crash and the consequences that follow.

    Members of the emergency services will step onto the stage at specific times in the film and talk about their real-life experiences and what action they would be taking if this was a real-life experience.

    Speaking this year at the events will be a couple whose 22-year-old son was killed in a crash near Thame in 2004. They will all be joined by a young man who was left paralysed after a crash in Oxfordshire.

    Every week more than two people die and around 180 are injured in collisions on the roads in the Thames Valley. The campaign is run by Thames Valley Police, three fire and rescue services, South Central Ambulance NHS Trust, hospital accident and emergency staff, road safety officers from councils across the region and the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership.

    Find more information about the Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign and competitions at safedrive.org.uk

  • Haddenham and Thame station celebrate 21st Birthday

    AT Haddenham and Thame Parkway station, on October 3, 1987, many local families enjoyed a train trip to London, followed by a firework display back in Haddenham, to celebrate the official opening by the
    late Elsie Rose, of the new Haddenham and Thame Parkway station.
    On Friday, October 10, this year, Chiltern Railways held an informal 21st birthday party for the station and MD Adrian Shooter presented token gifts to some current and former staff. A cake with candles was cut,
    and Little Italy provided other light refreshments.

    Chiltern Railways staff handed out “goodie” bags containing a commemorative mug and other small gifts bearing the Chiltern Railways logo to passengers as
    they came off their evening trains. There was also a display of some of villager, Geoff Plumb’s photos of the station over the years.

    Photos of the birthday event can be seen starting at:
    LINK
    where you can also find a link to Geoff’s more historic photos of the station.

    Photo: Courtesy of Geoff Plumb

  • November Gardening Newsletter from Jane Follis

    As I write this, it is the first Monday since the clocks went back which means we will all be travelling home in the dark! Not my favourite time
    of year.
    Despite the reduced hours of sunshine there is still quite a lot to do in the garden, not least clearing up leaves. I know I say this every year, but don?t take them to the tip. Once you have raked them up, put them into black plastic bags, compact well and tie up the tops of the bags. Pierce a few holes and store in a cool place. They will rot down and you will have wonderful leaf mould by this time next year.

    I am still struggling to tidy up the garden but it seems every weekend when I have spare time the weather decides I?d be better off in front of a
    roaring fire with a good book. The vegetable patch is the worst area, but even though it is a frightful mess, I am still picking crops. The last of the
    aubergines and courgettes were put to good use at the weekend. There are still a few runner beans and tomatoes trying to survive, but they are past their best.
    Hopefully I shall find some time to dig it over soon and incorporate the lovely mix of compost I have produced this year. Then, it will be time to plan for next year ? starting with a row of broad beans.

    Jim and I are still working on the new company name. It has caused all sorts of emotions from frustration to hilarity. We think we have found something perfect only to find someone else has obviously thought the
    same and we had no idea so many Latin names can be likened to anything from an alcopop to plain pornography!!

    It is now narrowed down to two names and we still need to do a bit of delving. Hopefully, we shall make a decision very soon and all will be revealed. The greatest problem has been to find something that relates to the poppy. PAPAVER is the Latin name for a poppy but it doesn?t exactly roll off the tongue.

    Business is still brisk with some interesting projects underway and I have recently been taken on as a freelance designer with a very prestigious
    tree nursery. This is great because it means we can larger projects and I have the pick of wonderful trees at my fingertips. Thus far it is working really well. I am also hoping to run some courses,
    locally, next year on how to design your own garden, including planting advice. More information next month on venues etc.

    Remember to look at The Garden Boutique Website ?
    www.gardenboutique.co.uk. Quote the promotional code JF268 and you will be entitled to a discount.

    RECIPE
    Haddock and Chorizo Risotto
    1pt Fish Stock Onion
    Garlic 125g Arborio Rice
    slug of Vermouth 125g Haddock, skinned

  • Awards for Thame women after knife point robbery

    THAME’s traffic warden and a local newsagent have received special awards following their involvement in a robbery at the shop in February.
    Annette Lazaruk, who manages The Chocolate Box newsagents in Thame, grappled with a knife-wealding robber in an attempt to stop him grabbing the shop’s takings, and chased him out of the shop.
    Whilst cycling home from work, Traffic Warden, Peggy Long became involved after she noticed a car parked at the entrance of the Thame Cattlemarket, acting suspiciously and memorised the registration number. Then she noticed a man with a scarf over his face running along the road towards the car.

    Seeing Annette on her mobile phone waving her down, Peggy stopped and after learning what had happened, phoned the police with the registration number. They were then able to apprehended 33 year-old James Scott, who received a three year sentence for the offence in April.

    This is not the first time Peggy Long as been recognised for her contribution to fighting crime in Thame. In 1992, she was commended by the then Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police for her part in the arrest of criminals in the town. In 2000, she received a Shrivelty award for “bringing great credit” to Thames Valley Police.

    But the pinnacle for Peggy was her trip to Buckingham Palace in 2003 to receive an MBE for “outstanding service to the community as a traffic warden.”

    Peggy and Annette were presented with their Commendations at a special dinner and award ceremony at Police Headquarters, Kidlington, last Thursday.

    Photo: Annette Lazaruk receives her award from Chief Superintendant O’Dowda. Inset, Peggy Long MBE

  • Power tools thefts warning – Ringmaster message

    BETWEEN 26th & 28th October, there have been a number of thefts of power tools from vans in the South Oxfordshire area.
    Incidents have occurred during the day in Wheatley, Thame, Rotherfield Greys, Henley and Berrick Salome Wallingford, where offender(s) have targeted
    insecure vans.

    Please be extra vigilant and tell anyone who may be working in your area about these thefts. Ask workmen to lock their vans when unattended, especially if they contain anything of value.

    If you have any information relating to this message, please call the police on 08458 505 505 and state you are responding to a Ringmaster message.

  • Latest Planning recommendations from Thame town Council

    Planning Applications Considered by Thame Town Council?s Planning Committee on Tuesday, October 28:

    8394
    P07/E1542 GIRL GUIDING HQ, SOUTHERN ROAD
    Demolish existing building and construct new Girl Guiding HQ with associated parking area.
    Amendment No.1
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8557
    P08/E1037 12/12A CORNMARKET
    Part demolition of existing rear projecting extension and erection of new extension to form 5 x 2 bed mews cottages with services and facilities.
    Correspondence was received and noted from the Thame Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
    RECOMMEND REFUSAL
    1. Totally unsuitable backland development on
    a very narrow site
    2. Inadequate vehicle access and egress

    8558
    P08/E1038/LB 12/12A CORNMARKET
    Part demolition of existing rear projecting extension and erection of new extension to form 5 x 2 bed mews cottages with services and facilities.
    Correspondence was received and noted from the Thame Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
    RECOMMEND REFUSAL
    1. Totally unsuitable backland development on a
    very narrow site.
    2. Inadequate vehicle access and egress

    8559
    P08/E1115 56 CEDAR CRESCENT
    Single storey front and side extension, replacement of flat roof with tile pitch roof. Roof alteration to rear and enlargement of existing garage.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8560
    P08/E1127/T REAR OF 9 HIGH STREET
    Replacement of 3 no antennas on existing telecommunications installation.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8561
    P08/E1132/LD 1 GRIFFIN ROAD
    Certificate of Lawful Development for a single storey rear extension.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8562
    P08/E1152/LB 51 HIGH STREET
    Installation of a skylight on flat roof to the rear of property.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8563
    P08/E1186 12 CEDAR CRESCENT
    Single storey rear extension.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8564
    P07/E1170/LD 20 MONTROSE WAY
    Certificate of Lawful Development for a single storey side extension.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL

    8565
    P08/E1157 12 FAIRFAX CLOSE
    Alterations to convert existing garage into habitable room. Rear single storey flat roof extension and installation of roof light over dining room.
    RECOMMEND APPROVAL
    As usual, the Committee expressed regret at the loss of garage space.

  • M40 closure up-date 5pm

    THE southbound carriageway on the M40 between junctions 4 and 5 has now reopened, following a fatal collision involving two articulated lorries in the early hours of this morning.
    Junction 9 remains closed to allow built up traffic to disipate.
    The M40, the main transport route through Oxfordshire, has been closed all day, causing massive tail backs of traffic, while an investigation was carried out into the crash, and a spillage of lard was cleared from the carriageway.

    The police say that the northbound carriageway, between junctions 4 and 5 however, will remain closed until 11pm at the earliest.

    Supt Richard List from Thames Valley Police said: ?Please start thinking about your journey home. We want to keep the A40 and other roads parallel to the M40 open but traffic will be very heavy on all these roads and if you can avoid the area and the M40, please do so. Traffic will also be very heavy in High Wycombe, Amersham and Beaconsfield town centres as traffic leaves the M40.?

    The police are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with any information should contact Sgt Bryan Smith or PC Sian Pringle via Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

    If you don?t want to talk to police and don?t want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

    Library Photo: Courtesy of BBC news on-line