Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame Men’s Doubles are Division Champions (Contributed)

    THAME Tennis Club Men?s B 2 pair team are celebrating their success in Division six of the Oxfordshire League having remained unbeaten this season.
    Following a 3.5 ? 0.5 sets win away at promotion rivals Bicester in the final match of the season, the team, captained by Mark Horrocks were confirmed as Division champions.
    Of the seven matches played, six were outright wins with one draw against runners up Wantage C. Team: D Holmes, A Reed, S Nannery, T Morris, D Morris, M Horrocks, J Morris, C Macgregor.

    Other Thame teams are also completing their summer league fixtures. The Ladies 3 pair in Division 2 was at home to Witney for their final match of the season. In an enjoyable and close match Thame won by 5.5 sets to 3.5 sets Team: M Lawton, J McLeod (c), R Knight, T Merry, R Tupper, M Howkins. The Ladies B 2 pair team also ended their season with another win, this time at home to Oxford Sports B. The team of Jane Cahill (c), Fiona Weiss, Fiona Hawken and Rachel Jeffery took 2.5 sets to the visitors 1.5 sets, completing a successful first season for the team managed by Wendy Macgregor.

    Finally, The Men?s C 2 pair team in Division 8 faced 2 tough matches to end their season. They managed a creditable draw away to top of the table Bicester D with first pair John Patrick and John Baldwin winning both their matches (second pair John Ansell (c), Mark Ansell). The team?s final match was at home against promotion contenders Wantage D. Although all square at the halfway point, they were unable to make any further impression and were finally beaten by 6 sets to 2. Team: T Knightley, N Belcher, J Ansell (c), K Bowers.

    For more information on Thame Tennis Club please go to their website at www.thametennnisclub.org.uk

    Photo: Members of Thame Tennis Club’s men’s team practice at the club in Queens Road, Thame.

  • Planning Applications

    to be considered by Thame Town Council?s Planning committee on Tuesday, September 02.
    8447
    P08/E0295 7 KINGS CLOSE
    Erection of a new 2 bedroom end terrace dwelling on land adjacent to no. 7 Kings Close, and a new porch area for no. 7 Kings Close (as amended by applicant?s letter received 14 April 2008).
    Amendment No. 1 is to i) improve the layout of the lounge and its relationship with the garden, ii) increase natural light in the stair hall & iii) reduce the size of the first floor bathroom window. There is no change to the front elevation. TTC had no strong views on the original application in April 2008 and SODC granted approval in May 2008.

    8526 P08/E0934
    27a UPPER HIGH STREET
    First floor extension.

    8527
    P08/E0868/LB 19 CORNMARKET
    Reintroduction of former coal chute/cellar grille and window together with external redecorations.

    8528
    P08/E0905/LB SOUTH COTTAGE, LONDON LODGE, THAME PARK
    Demolition of existing extension and erection of single storey side
    and rear extension and associated alterations to lodge.

    8529
    P08/E0831 SOUTH COTTAGE, LONDON LODGE, THAME PARK
    Demolition of existing extension and erection of single storey side
    and rear extension and associated alterations to lodge.

    8530
    P08/E0939 9 DENBIGH ROAD
    Conversion of existing garage space. Rear single and two storey extension in place of the existing single storey conservatory.

    8531
    P08/E0936 FORMER WARDEN?S HOUSE, RYCOTEWOOD COLLEGE
    Erection of two-storey and single storey front extensions, single
    storey rear extension and detached garage.

    8532
    P08/E0941
    H & C PEARCE & SONS, AYLESBURY ROAD
    Subdivide warehouse into 2 separate units. Create new retail
    area within the main warehouse area. New glazed entrance
    screens and new cladding to west elevation and part of south elevation.

    8533
    P08/E0952 8 PUTNAM CLOSE
    Single storey side and rear extension.

    8534
    P08/E0951 41 OLD UNION WAY
    Erection of a single storey, timber-framed, glazed orangery.

    8535
    P08/E0950/A 12a BUTTERMARKET
    Two non-lluminated fascia signs.

    8536
    P08/E0842

    8537
    P08/E0968/LB 5 CORNMARKET
    New decking attached to south east elevation.

    51 HIGH STREET
    Replace kitchen window on rear elevation.

  • New Owners at the Dinton Hermit Inn

    AT the end of May this year, Roger and Mariko Pratap, residents of the village of Dinton, near Thame, stepped in to rescue the Dinton Hermit Inn from the receivers.
    The Dinton Hermit, in the small hamlet of Ford and just a few miles between Aylesbury and Thame, is an historical inn dating back to the 17th Century. It is named after the legendary ?Dinton Hermit,? a Parliamentarian sympathiser during the Civil War, who was reputed to have been one of the executioners of King Charles I.
    Roger Pratap commented: ?Mariko and I have lived in Dinton with our young family for a number of years and we are really looking forward to putting our skills and resources towards making The Dinton Hermit a true credit to the village.
    ?We are currently working with a team of hospitality industry experts to make sure that the property is brought up to the standard that is required and deserved by an Inn of such historical significance.”

    Initial plans for improving the Inn have already been shown to local residents, with a very positive response. The plans include complete refurbishment of 11 bedrooms, changing the internal layout of the bar to provide better use of the buildings and an extension to the restaurant to offer more space for dining.

    Roger commented: ?It is our aim to create a really great place for locals to come and enjoy great food, comfortable accommodation and a relaxing place to come for a drink ? inside or outside.?

    The Dinton Hermit is now open all day, every day. To book a table for lunch or dinner you can contact The Dinton Hermit on 01296 747473.

  • Horse breeder fined over neglect

    A HORSEBREEDER from Chinnor has been fined after neglecting one of his animals.
    Henry Light, of Lower Icknield Way, Chinnor, admitted failing to protect one of his animals from pain, suffering, injury, disease and suffering was ordered to pay

  • Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

    to 25 August 2008 – Teddy Bear Days at Chinnor & PR Railway – Each child carrying a teddy bear will travel free when accompanied by a fare paying adult on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway. An enjoyable day for all the family. Including kids entertainers. No need to book, just come along. Trains depart Chinnor Station at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4.00pm.

    Talking Timetable 01844 353535 or visit www.cprra.co.uk. Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor OX39 4ER.

  • Thame’s FA Cup hopes dashed

    THAME United came away from Bristol with their FA Cup hopes dashed for another season after a combination of bad luck and poor officiating saw Bitton win this replay to progress to the next round.
    In damp conditions that worsened throughout the game, United continued where they left off in the first game, defending resolutely and looking dangerous on the break. Whilst Bitton had the majority of possession in the first half, Searl was rarely threatened in the Thame goal and, when he was, he was equal to the task. Indeed, it was Thame who had the best chances in the opening period with captain Dave Hocking seeing an effort drop on to the roof of the net, whilst ten minutes before the break an incisive run from winger, Ben Connelly, resulted in a near post cross that striker Matt Miller turned on to the base of the post.

    With Thame benefiting from the slope in the second half, they pushed forward and on 55 minutes Luke Ricketts forced the home keeper in to a good save with a 20 yard drive from wide right. Five minutes later and the woodwork came to the rescue of Bitton for a second time, when Rhodes skillfully lobbed the keeper from 20 yards only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.

    The turning point of the game came on 70 minutes when, after a series of poor but largely inconsequential refereeing decisions throughout the game, the referee pointed to the spot where left back, Steve Newell, was adjudged to have fouled the Bitton right winger. Whilst that may have been the case, the offence took place outside the penalty area and the Thame players looked on in astonishment to see a penalty awarded. Searl was sent the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.

    Bitton extended their lead five minutes later, but only after the assistant referee missed a clear off-side (much to the amusement of the home crowd) and Searl was given no chance from eight yards. Finally, as Thame pushed forward looking to get back in to the game, Bitton scored a third when the unlucky Hocking could only help the ball in to the back of his own net.

    Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Newell, Graves, Hocking, Rhodes, Stocker (Bell) Connelly, Miller (Brougham), Ansell (Roberts), Ricketts.

  • View Thame Cattlemarket site ideas on new website

    THAME Cattlemarket Action Group (Cmag), has a new website.
    The group was formed to ensure that whatever happens on the Thame Cattlemarket site when the cattle market itself moves, is predominantly something for the whole community and not just a supermarket or a housing development.
    Visit LINK

    to see some ideas of what could be built on the cattlemarket site and learn more about Cmag itself.

  • Long-awaited renovation of Thame play area to begin

    EIGHTEEN months after two Thame mums complained to the town council about the state of the Southern Road play area, work is to begin on its redevelopment.
    After a year in planning and raising the funds, the work will commence next week which means that the play area will be closed for about eight weeks from Wednesday, August 27, whilst the work takes place.

    As well as general wear and tear, the play area had been the subject of thousands of pounds worth of vandalism over recent years.

    The new design for the play area was chosen following consultation with some of Thame’s school children and young people, and can be viewed at the Town Hall from Tuesday, August 26.

    The town coouncil has warned that the car park at Southern Road (next to the Scout Hut) will also be closed from Monday, September 1, to allow for storage and vehicle access for the works.

    Photo: courtesy of BBC, for illustrative purposes only

  • Thame school closes the GCSE gap between girls and boys

    THE headteacher of Thame’s Comprehensive school, is especially pleased with his school’s GCSE results, out today as, for the first time, the girls have not out-shone the boys.
    Mr David Wybron said today: “I want to pay tribute to students for their hard work and well deserved successes and also to staff who worked with students in so many different ways to help them secure such impressive results. It is pleasing to see both boys and girls are achieving highly at Lord Williams’s.”

    Boys and girls were represented more-or-less equally in the 78% of students who achieved five or more A -Cgrades, with 72% achieving five or more A to C grades in subjects that included English and Maths. 96% achieved five or more A -G grades.

    The following students all gained at least nine passes at A* and A: Nicole Austin, Sian Burgess, Rachel Bennell, James Collier, Charlotte De Val, Thornton Eaton, Harriet Elkerton, Cara Evans, Alex Feuchtwanger, Stephanie Fox, Katie Hall, Charles Herd, Fiona McLeod, Timothy Morrison, Katie Niedzielski, Anna Osborne, Annabelle Pearson, Melanie Pheby, Beth Richardson, Gemma Roberts, Rebecca Stenning, Fay Underwood, Emily Stapleton-Jefferis and Rachel Williams.

    Photo: Nicole Austin (who gained 9, either grade A* or A passes at GCSE), Jordan March and Caroline Baker share their relief and delight in their achievements.

  • District receives

    THE funding, which came from the Government and the EU, will be shared between South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils.
    SODC has said that it will use the money to help revitalise rural communities through training and supporting projects up to 2013.
    In a statement, the council said: “The funding will provide support to a wide range of projects and training for farmers, growers, foresters, food businesses and rural communities. Initial expressions of interest have so far included ideas for a food festival, conservation themed holiday breaks, and rural skills training.”

    An action group, with key members from the farming and forestry sector, will co-ordinate the project. South Oxfordshire District Council will support the group and will recruit a project manager to run the programme. Once the project manager is in place, applicants can make expressions of interest before presenting a full application to the group.

    Each project can receive a grant of up to