Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • ‘Get rid of the town hall’ says Thame councillor

    A THAME town councillor has called the town hall the ugliest building he has ever seen, and has called for a new one to be built elsewhere.
    Cllr Mike Dyer was speaking during a discussion at last week’s Policy and Resources committee meeting, following a recommendation that

  • Draw for ‘bouyant’ Thame United

    MATCH REPORT: September 13, 2008 – Score: Thame United 1, v Rayners Lane 1.
    Thame United are now without a game until September 27, and will spend most of the time between now and then wondering just how they failed to secure three points against a Rayners Lane side that produced only one shot on target in the whole game.

    Buoyed by the return of striker Tom Goffe, United opened brightly and could have taken the lead in the first minute when Matt Miller saw his effort go wide of the post. As it was, it was Rayners Lane who took the lead in their first attack, as the new 3-5-2 formation for Thame was exposed down their left and a cross to the unmarked Kiren Thomas saw the striker head the ball firmly beyond Searl in to the top corner of the goal.

    United responded well to the set-back, with Miller putting a header just over the bar from a cross from Luke Ricketts. With Goffe and Miller combining well, and Connelly down the Thame right beating the opposing left back with ease, it only seemed a matter of time before the equalizer would come. It looked to have arrived in the 24th minute when Connelly made another run to the by-line before cutting the ball back to Miller who, with back to goal, flicked the ball between his legs only to see the ball rebound off the post with the keeper well beaten. Connelly then went close as he sprinted beyond his marker and forced the keeper to make a good save low to his left.

    United started the second half in similar vein, forcing Rayners Lane on to the back foot. Substitute Jack Green, who replaced the injured Miller just before half time, saw a header from 8 yards go just over the bar in the 47th minute, before his goal bound shot was blocked by a defender two minutes later. As Thame pushed forward, Mark West replaced Mark Jones and opened-up the Rayners Lane defence on a couple of occasions, but still Thame could not find the equalizer. However, with time running out Thame scored that elusive goal in the 83rd minute. Connelly was fouled on the right and Luke Ricketts crossed an inch perfect ball for Goffe to powerfully head home, giving the keeper no chance. The final few minutes saw both sides push forward for a winning goal, but in the end Thame had to settle for a draw, and will see the result as two points lost rather than a point gained.

    Thame United: Searl, N.Rhodes, Thompson, Cowan, Jones (West (Newell)), A.Rhodes, El-Kassir, Ricketts, Connelly, Miller (Green), Goffe

    Thame United Man of the Match: Ben Connelly
    Photoo: Tom Goffe scores the equaliser for Thame in the 83rd minute.

    THAME UNITED RESERVES began their season with a trip to Wootton Bassett Town in the Chairmans Reserve Challenge Cup. Finding themselves 2-0 down at half time, United battled well to ensure a 2-2 score after 90 minutes. In extra time, Wootton Bassett Town again took the lead with a dubious goal, before United again equalized. However, it was not to be for Thame as they lost 4-3 on penalties.

    Thame United Youth Team top the Allied Counties Northern Division after two games. Following their hard fought victory 3-2 against Buckingham Athletic in their opening fixture, United destroyed Witney United in their second league game 6-1 with goals from Brougham (2), Meredith, Sherif, Hickling and Smail. United face Wokingham & Emmbrook in the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup, with the tie due to be played on Thursday 25th September at AFC Wallingford (7:45pm kick off)

  • RHS and Chiltern Rail launch poetry competition

    CHILTERN Railways and the Royal Shakespeare Company have launched a free competition offering aspiring writers aged between 7 and 12 years, the chance to be the Chiltern Railways and RSC?s Young Bard, 2008.
    Chiltern, who run direct services to Stratford upon Avon from London, are running the competition not only to promote Stratford upon Avon but also to promote literacy and creativity amongst their young passengers.

    The competition invites children to write a poem about travel and holidays in no more than 300 words by October 3rd 2008. To enter, you just need to e-mail youngbard@chilternrailways.co.uk. The winner will receive a backstage tour at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon and a copy of the Complete Works of Shakespeare. Prizes will also be given to runners up and all will be published in Chiltern?s passenger newsletter.

    The entries will be judged by Lyn Darnley, Head of Text, Voice and Artist Development at the RSC. Lyn has worked at the RSC since 1992 and prior to joining the Company was employed in a drama school. She works with the actors on voice, text and language and is closely involved with the RSC Education Department working with teachers and students.

    Lyn Darnley, Head of Text, Voice and Artist Development at the RSC said: ?The RSC passionately believes that as many people as possible should have the opportunity to experience Shakespeare?s works. Shakespeare told great stories, but what really sets him apart is the way he uses language. I am really looking forward to reading the poems the young people are going to write.?

    Log on to: Website
     to find out more information about the competition or to find out more information about visiting and buying your train ticket to Stratford upon Avon.

  • Willie Howe Scholars Concert

    THE Willie Howe Scholars Concert is to be held at Lord Williams’s School, on Sunday, September 14.
    The concert is in aid of the Phoenix Arts and Drama Studio fund and will be presented by the Lord Williams’s School Music Department.

    Performed by the Willie Howe Scholars, the programme will include performances on Piano, Double Bass, guitar, trumpet, Cello and violin.

    Weather permitting the concert will be held in the wonderful setting of the sunken Garden, next to the school, where concerts were held for many years in the past.

    2pm-4pm (gates open 1.45) – Seating will be available.
    If the weather is unsuitable, the concert will be moved to a venue inside the school.

    For tickets contact: ron_swanson@hotmail.com

  • Cycle ride between historic churches

    THE Ride or Stride for the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust will take place on Saturday, September 13.
    Please collect a sponsor form from Angela (01844 215287)and get on your bike or walk around churches to
    raise funds in this very enjoyable way.
    Half of all the money raised will go to St Catherine’s church, Towersey.

  • Latest in Mankoo Trial

    Jury have arrived at verdict for 8 of the 10 charges against him.

    Guilty of 1 of 2 counts of indecent assault.

    Guilty of 2 of 8 counts of sexual assault.

    The jury is still considering verdicts on 2 counts of sexual assault having been directed by the judge that a majority verdict (10 of 12) would be acceptable.

    UPDATE

    Mr Mankoo has been found guilty by a unanimous jury on count 9 of Sexual Assault (against a temporary employee) and not guilty on count 6 of Sexual Assault (against a client).

    Mr Mankoo has been bailed to appear before Reading Crown Court on October 17th for sentencing, in order to put his financial and family affairs in order.

  • Thame sex offender Bailed

    A THAME hair consultant found guilty of sexually assaulting three of his clients and an employee, and of indecently assaulted another client, has been bailed pending sentencing.
    Father of four children, Praminder Mankoo, was given bail by Judge Mary Jane Mowat, to allow him to discuss his probable pending absence from them, and to ‘put his financial house in order.’

    The judge said: “These are serious crimes and I will therefore need reports from the probation service as to whether there is any element of danger to consider, and to understand the motivation and reasons for re-offending, before I sentence Mr Mankoo.”

    A Prevention Order was imposed on Mankoo at the request of the Prosecution, that he should not, in the meantime, massage anyone other than their scalp, and not to treat anyone, except with someone else in the room.

    Mankoo will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on October 17, 2008, and will immediately be placed on the official sexual offenders register.

  • September Fair, Thame

    THIS year’S September Fair will be held from Thursday, September 18, (Thame show day) until Saturday, September 20.
    During that time, a Temporary Road Closure and Traffic Regulation Order will be in force, which will restrict the entry of vehicles to the centre of Thame from 7am Wednesday, September 17, until 12 noon on Sunday, September 21.

    Traffic movement will be restricted and barriers will be in position at the following locations:

    High Street at the junction with Bell Lane

    North Street at the junction with Wellington Street

    Upper High Street at the junction with East Street

    Rooks Lane at the Upper High Street junction

    Nelson Street at the Upper High Street junction

    Drivers are reminded that vehicles are not allowed to park in the road or on pavements, as this is an offence and those vehicles causing an obstruction will be removed.

  • Haddenham news and events

    Sat 13th Stride and Ride. Annual sponsored Bike Ride/ Horse Ride/ Walk in aid of Bucks Historic Churches Trust (10am-6pm). If you?d like to take part by visiting churches in Haddenham and neighbouring villages call local organiser Richard (292463). Money collected is shared between the Trust and the church(es) of your choice. In Haddenham, the Baptist Chapel will be open for refreshments and also the Methodist Chapel (afternoon only). St Mary?s Church will also be open but not the Church of the Good Shepherd, where you can sign the list on the door. Another Haddenham benefice church, St Nicholas, Kingsey, will be open, including for its annual Work-party when maintenance is carried out both inside and outside the church.

    Sat 13th Barn Dance. Haddenham Baptist Church is running a Family Barn Dance – with music by Hadda?s Band – in the Manor Farm tithe barn (6.30-10pm). Tickets (

  • Jury still out in Mankoo trial

    THE jury in the trial of a Thame hair consultant, accused of indecent and sexual offences against women, was sent home late this afternoon.
    After four hours, the jury of six men and six women, had not reached a verdict on two counts of indecent assault, and eight of sexual assault, alleged to have been committed by Praminder Mankoo.

    In her summing up, the judge, Her Honour Mary Jane Howatt, explained the legal differences between ‘indecent’ and ‘sexual’ assault. Because the first two charges on the indictment against Mankoo occurred before a change in the law in 2004, they are deemed to be ‘indecent assault’ – the definition of ‘indecent’ being at that time what “right-minded persons would consider indecent in contemporary standard of modesty and decency..” This could include touching which would be made ‘indecent’ if the circumstances make it so.

    Because they are alleged to have occurred after the new Sexual Offences Act came into effect on May 1, 2004, the other eight charges on the indictment are those of sexual assault. According the Act:

    Sexual assault (1) A person (A) commits an offence if?
    (a) he intentionally touches another person (B),
    (b) the touching is sexual,
    (c) B does not consent to the touching, and
    (d) A does not reasonably believe that B consents.
    (2) Whether a belief is reasonable is to be determined having regard to all the circumstances, including any steps A has taken to ascertain whether B consents.

    A verdict is expected tomorrow.

    A report of each day’s proceedings during the previous eight days of the trial is published below.
    The easiest way to read them, is to put ‘Mankoo’ in the search box (right-hand side of the Main News section of the website) and a list of related reports, in date order (earliest at the top) will appear.