Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Oxfordshire Mind events coming up in October

    MENTAL HEALTH ? The Last TABOO? A talk with Dr Marcus Roberts on World Mental Health Day. Dr Roberts is the Director of Policy and Research at Drugscope and has worked in mental health, criminal
    justice and drug sectors. Friday, 10th October 2008, 5.30 p.m. at the Taylorian Institute, St Giles, Oxford OX1 3NA (the Taylorian Institute is opposite the Randolph Hotel, but the entrance is on St
    Giles). For more information please contact Ellie Raikes at Oxfordshire Mind Tel: 01865 263734 or
    ellie.raikes@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk FREE admissions (but donations welcome).

    World Mental Health Day ? Friday, 10th October 2008, 11.00 a.m. ? 4.00 p.m., at the Barracks Lane Community Centre (access via Kenilworth
    Avenue/Cumberland Road), Off Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 2AP Yoga, Garden Activities, Relaxing in the yurt, Snacks and drinks, Music,Arts and Crafts, Samba Workshop (3.00 p.m.). Organised by Oxfordshire
    Mind. Everyone welcome! For more information contact Antonia Hund-Goeschel at oasis@oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

    “Music in Mind”, Friday, 17th October 2008, 8.00 p.m. – 1.00 a.m., Exeter Hall, 1 Oxford Road, at the top end of Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 2EN (past Majestic Wine, but before the petrol garage), Trev Williams Music Presents: The Dacoits – From a remote farmhouse near Faringdon, Carrie Rossiter fronts the Dacoits, compared to PJ Harvey and “husky,
    dark-minded garage-pop? with obvious commercial appeal” Nightshift September 2008. This is their debut performance on Oxford soil, with a brand new EP Dumbstuck, produced with Chris Sheldon
    (FooFighters/Oceansize/Idlewild/Pixies), having just been released.
    www.myspace.com/thedacoits The Follys – Trev Williams, Luke Gerry and Paul Hancock have recently been busy writing new songs for their forthcoming follow up EP “Maps to Nowhere”. This will be the first Oxford performance of the new songs set to be released early next year. www.myspace.com/thefollys High Risby – Stefano and Alice write surreal, catchy and quirky acoustic songs about almost everything.
    Sometimes folk/rock can have a wry smile instead of fey self-indulgence! www.myspace.com/highrisby Bethany Weimers – Bethany is an Oxfordshire-based singer, songwriter and composer. She mesmerises audiences with her captivating unique voice and beautiful infectious folk-tinged songs about love, life and days gone by.
    Beautiful, haunting and infectious songs.
    www.myspace.com/bethanyweimers DJ John Anthony – Will be finishing off the night playing his funky house tunes! Entry

  • Tiddington fatal crash up-date

    THE Buckinghamshire women who was seriously injured in a two-car road crash in Tiddington yesterday, remains in a stable condition in hospital today.
    She had to be cut from her Volvo car by firecrew from Thame and Wheatley, using hydraulic rescue equipment and specialist cutting gear, whilst being treated by Paramedics and an Emergency Doctor. She was taken to hospital by Ambulance.

    Thame Watch Manager, Andy Ford, said today: “This was a very serious crash in which one person was killed and another seriously injured. The Fire and Ambulance crews worked hard to release the second lady from her vehicle by removing the roof and spreading the car dash uderwhich she was trapped. The Volvo she was in is a substantial car and not the easiest of vehicles to release someone from in such a heavy collision. It is a testament to the professionalism of the Fire crews and their use of the specialist equipment that enabled us to free her in such short time.?

    The A418 was closed for almost four hours following the crash and the Police are appealing for witnesses. They are particularly keen to trace the driver of an orange coloured van who would have witnessed the incident.

    Anyone with any information about the incident should call PC Richard Hale, at Abingdon Roads Policing, via 0845 8 505 505.

  • ‘Virtue’ wins the day at museum quiz

    THAME Museum hosted a very unusual quiz recently, and raised valuable funds towards the museum’s work.
    Six teams of four, under the quiz-masterly direction of the inimitable Sue Boyle, answered questions about famous Davids, important dates in London’s history and wandered around the museum with a quiz sheet to find the answers to 30 questions about Thame’s own history.

    All-in-all, a most congenial time was had by all, including at one point the whole room bursting into song in response to a question about a Cliff Richard hit song of the 1960s.

    The winning team was, by quite a margin, a team of very experienced quizzers, named for the evening, Virtue, the slogan emblazoned on one of the team’s teeshirts.

    Photo: Sue Boyle, with the winning team, Virtue.

  • Working for a new Thame hospital ‘like pushing a rock up hill’

    THE Chair of Thame Hospital?s League of Friends, Sarah Taylor, has welcomed plans to redevelop the hospital but described trying to move forward the redevelopment plans as like ?pushing a rock up hill.?
    At the League?s AGM last Wednesday (24/09), the guest speaker was Richard Mills, Director for System Reform, Bucks Primary Care Trust (PCT), who stated that, although the Trust is looking at possible alternative sites for a new 24 bed hospital development, use of the present site and buildings was far more likely, for geographical reasons among others, and that the details would probably take two to three years to decide on.

    Richard Mills said that he was impressed by the amount of advocacy the ?Friends? and the town were able to muster, and stated that the development would probably include community facilities.

    Norman Brand put in a strong plea for the work of the Day Centre, its members and its members’ families and friends, which was appreciated by Richard Mills who accepted the importance of the day centre?s work.

    WHAT IS PROPOSED?

    What is proposed is a 24 bed hospital plus many ancillary services, a diagnostic centre, plus existing services like physiotherapy. Those involved in the project are looking to work with partners in Mental Health, the Children?s centre and Social Services.
    It is anticipated that there could be a possible hold up with the planning authorities at some point, explained Sarah, so time scales are difficult to project.

    Some concerns were expressed about possible problems, still to be resolved, about keeping facilities going during the building work. Apparently, the GPs would prefer a green field development as giving greater scope but there seems little doubt that it would be a more expensive way to go. It would take longer because of planning issues but on the other hand, it would make it much easier to keep services going during the development.

    ?When we have enough material and information, we can start fund raising,? continued Sarah. ?It will cost a lot more than the

  • Fatal collision – Tiddington (Status: Press release)

    THE Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision that happened in Tiddington, near Thame, late this afternoon (1/10).
    The collision, between a silver Ford Fiesta and a red Volvo V70, happened on Oxford Road (A418), between Tiddington and Shabbington, at 3.26pm.

    The driver of the Fiesta, a woman from London in her 30s, died on her way to hospital. The driver of the Volvo, a woman from Buckinghamshire, has been taken to the JR2 Hospital with serious injuries. Her condition is not thought to be life threatening.

    Oxford Road re-opened shortly after 7pm.

    Police are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to trace the driver of an orange coloured van who would have witnessed the incident.

    Anyone with any information about the incident should call PC Richard Hale, at Abingdon Roads Policing, via 0845 8 505 505.

  • Renaissance for The Lambert Arms

    RE-OPENED just last week, The Lambert Arms, in Aston Rowant, near Thame, has undergone a spectacular yet sympathetic refurbishment under its new owners, Merchant Inns Ltd.
    This mid Victorian Inn has been completely transformed inside but, though now a modern-day country inn, it retains many of the original, historical features and offers Michelin star quality food, impressive conference and events facilities and superbly appointed bedrooms.

    The Lambert Arms has had a chequered history, including episodes as a Training Centre and a film set, but an ancient coat of arms displayfed over its doors suggests that it once belonged to a family who received a baronetcy in 1711. But its new owners now intend that the Lambert Arms will once again become a thriving, integral part of the local community, aiming to offer “sensational food, stylish bedrooms and sensible prices”

    General Manager, Neal Tripp, says: “I have a great team around me, and together we will ensure that The Lambert Arms becomes renowned for its dining experience, warm welcome and excellent facilities”.

    MEETING ROOMS
    A conference and banqueting centre features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the surrounding countryside, and is ideal for up to 140 people. In warm weather, the open courtyard is perfect for outdoor dining and relaxed receptions. Smaller rooms and cosy areas are available for informal meetings. The landscaped gardens, combined with the excellent space and the superb cuisine, make The Lambert Arms the first choice for any event, from business meetings to weddings.

    FOOD AND DRINK

    By embracing the traditional country inn experience where you can go for ?a pint and a chat?, a cup of coffee or for a full meal, The Lambert Arms aims to “bring together the essence of a good, local bar with a restaurant serving simply sensational food.”

    The kitchen team, under the supervision of Michelin-star executive chef, Rob Clayton, previously at the Bath Priory Hotel, sets out to serve Michelin-quality food in an informal pub environment. From bar snacks to pub lunches and a-la-carte menus, everything is freshly prepared and of the highest standards. The Lambert Arms? resident head chef, Adam Boutwell, 24, shows his skilled cooking, based on Modern British cuisine, producing dishes of character and distinction. Adam too, has had a career in Michelin star restaurants before joining The Lambert Arms.

    With ?British Food Fortnight? starting on 20 September, The Lambert Arms? opening menu toasts the best of British with dishes such as Pan seared Cirencester Park wood pigeon breast, spiced pear tart & local cider vinaigrette, Slow cooked shoulder of Cornish lamb and Lambert Arms home grown pear and blackberry crumble. During the fortnight (which ends on Saturday – only four days to go!), two-courses from the special menu are

  • Thame Partnership welcomes MP’s initiative for the town

    THE Chairman of the 21st Century Thame Partnership has responded to yesterday’s statement from the town council, about ‘joining up the dots’ to form a vision for Thame’s future.
    Thame businessman, Keith Slater, said today: “21st Century Thame, as the community partnership, is very keen that all sections of the community are involved in determining the future direction of the town, as that was the purpose for which it was established as a result of the Health check some five years ago.”

    He continued: “A significant number of projects have been realised as a result of the work of the partnership and it has attempted for some time to get agreement to larger projects for which funding is available from SEEDA (South East Economic Development Agency), funding which has been very sucessfully utilised for

  • Brill Windmill closed for restoration (Contributed)

    LAST Sunday, September 28, Brill Windmill closed its doors to the public in readiness for restoration work.
    Over the coming months, works will take place to ensure that this rare Grade II, listed mill is secured for the benefit of future generations, and a grand opening for the newly-restored windmill is already being planned.

    Proposals for the landmark, with timbers dating back as far as 1680, will see the structure?s appearance restored to that of the early 1900s when, in the capable hands of the mill?s last miller Albert Nixey, it was coming to the end of its long working life.

    As well ensuring the mill?s structural integrity, it is hoped that the programme of works will allow sails to be repaired, back doors and rear access steps to be re-instated, and weather boards to be replaced. It is anticipated that the inside of the mill will also get its fair share of attention when nationally renowned specialists carefully remove, record and finally re-instate the mill?s ancient working mechanism.

    Thanks to funding provided by Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN), Buckinghamshire County Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council, future visitors should be able to see the mill preserved to how it looked when last in operation.

    Next year, visitors will get a much better understanding of how these wonderful machines operated and give them a taste of the hard working conditions of millers like Albert Nixey.

    Photo: Brill windmill (copyright L.Price)

  • Local environmentalists meet MEP over biofuels (Contributed)

    REPRESENTATIVES of several Friends of the Earth local groups from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire met South East MEP, James Elles, last week as part of the growing campaign against EU plans to increase the amount of biofuels in our petrol tanks.
    During the meeting, campaigners Maureen Dyroff (Thame and Chinnor FOE) and Mike Chadwick (Wycombe FOE) handed over some of the many postcards collected
    from local people calling on MEPs to vote against the proposed European biofuels target in October.

    Mr Elles said he was aware of the concerns surrounding large-scale biofuels, and was increasingly worried about their effect on food prices and food security. He said he would certainly vote against a 10% binding target, but reserved judgement on whether a reduced or qualified target would be acceptable. He added that he would continue to develop his thinking of this complex subject, and so, would study the FOE briefing material thoroughly. He was open to further information on this complex set of issues and would welcome any FOE contributions to this end.

    Background and Friends of the Earth position

    A small amount (2.5%) of biofuels was introduced to UK petrol pumps this year. Already there is clear evidence that the race for biofuels is leading to rainforest destruction and rising food prices that are plunging millions of the world’s poorest people into starvation. What is more, when the whole production cycle is taken into account, many biofuels actually create more greenhouse gas emissions than they save.

    Despite this, the EU has proposed a target that 10% of all transport fuel be sourced from biofuels by 2020. Friends of the Earth believe this proposal would have disastrous consequences, multiplying the damage already being caused. Instead they have set out how the necessary emissions cuts from the transport sector can be readily delivered by significant improvements to the average fuel efficiency of cars, and the provision of better public transport and safer routes for cycling and walking.

    Local campaigner Maureen Dyroff said: ?We will continue to campaign on this important issue as public awareness of the futility of large scale production of biofuels increases.”

  • FREE Open week at Racquets, Thame

    RACQUETS Fitness Centre, Thame, is offering free use of its facilities all this week.