Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Hannah saves the day for Twelfth Night – Review by Julia Gasper

    THE Oxford Shakespeare Company was about to stage its new production of Shakespeare?s Twelfth Night, one of his most uproarious comedies, when their leading actress, Claire Cordier, was carried off to hospital with appendicitis!
    This happened four days before the show was due to open. With amazing luck, they managed to get hold of a substitute, Hannah Boyd, who not only knows the part but was free to step in at hyper-short notice.

    You would never guess this watching the production today, on its first night at Wadham College gardens. Hannah is a really admirable Viola, and a perfectly self-possessed heroine, sporting her doublet and hose with androgynous panache. There was no time to take Claire?s picture out of the programme and put in Hannah?s.

    Oliver Gartside, who acts Viola?s identical twin brother, Sebastian, commented that it was odd for him to find himself opposite a different actress at the last moment, but Hannah had worked really hard to master the different cuts in this production and familiarize herself with everything going on ? all in three days!

    The director, Bill Bankes-Jones, must be immensely relieved that they found her and that the production could open as planned without most of the audience even being aware of the near-catastrophe.

    This is an extremely funny production, with a sea-side theme, and a lot of tomfoolery in every Act. Its light-hearted use of props such as Punch and Judy puppets, rubber rings and plastic cricket bats adds a touch of surreal farce and sheer zaniness. Tom Walker as the clown Feste and Dafydd Gwyn Howells as the self-indulgent Sir Toby Belch are a well-matched pair, both very talented and funny in different ways. Feste?s Elvis impression when he sings ?Oh mistress mine? is priceless, and Sir Toby?s management of the mock-duel between Viola and poor little Sir Andrew Aguecheek is done very well.

    James Lavender is brilliant as Malvolio, the pompous, priggish steward, who gets his come-uppance. He starts off dressed as an undertaker, then re-appears in the middle of the night dressed in striped pyjamas and a hair-net. After reading the forged letter, and falling for the trick played on him, he appears in?well, I won?t spoil it for anyone by telling them in advance exactly what Malvolio is wearing when he comes forth, convinced that Olivia is madly in love with him and wants to marry him, but I promise you it is hilarious. In this production, certain details have been altered, in order to make Malvolio even less likeable and maximize the impression that he is ?sick of self-love?.

    It is understandable that Bill Bankes-Jones wanted to make these surreptitious changes, because otherwise it may seem that the joke that Sir Toby and Maria play on him really goes a bit too far. However, when Feste dresses up as a Deep South preacher to visit Malvolio, who is locked in a beach bathing-hut, we are too busy laughing to have much concern for that.

    In keeping with the sea-side theme, Count Orsino wears Bermuda shorts and a dressing-gown, not a very flattering garb, and he does not seem so irresistible that Viola would have fallen madly in love with him at first sight

    Twelfth Night continues at Wadham College Gardens, Oxford until 1st August 2008.

    http://www.oxfordshakespearecompany.co.uk/index

    MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT’S ON IN OXFORD ON:
    http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/OxfordReview.htm

    Photo: Hannag Boyd

  • An interview with Prof Richard Dawkins – By Nicholas Newman

    AUTHOR and thinker, Professor Richard Dawkins was recently interviewed by Nicholas Newman of oxfordprospects.co.uk, at Dawkins’ Oxford home.

    RICHARD Dawkins is the well known advocate of atheism and rationalism and for his criticism of religion. He holds the Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. I interviewed Richard Dawkins at his Oxford home recently.

    Nicholas Newman

    As a life long atheist, I find myself almost entirely in agreement with the views expressed in your writings, but nevertheless, it is still possible to see the utility of certain physiological aspects in some religious beliefs or customs. I?m thinking of: Comfort to a soldier about to die, or succour for a mother on the death of her child or belief in the after life of a husband who is mourning the death of his wife? Such comfort or succour would be called upon particularly in cases where no human aid would be available?

    Richard Dawkins

    Yes, I do see psychological value, if it does have a real value, and I would not wish to be the person who destroys that person?s psychological succour. But I would not, however, compromise with my public speaking out in the public forum and writing, but if I was visiting someone who was recently bereaved, I might dissemble somewhat in what I said, but would not do so in when writing a newspaper article. It is also I think disputable whether it is that comforting, given that people are brought up to fear hell for example. They might actually be comforted by the lack of religion, depending on their upbringing. Although many of us fear death, I think there is something illogical about it. As Mark Twain once said ?I was dead before I was born without the slightest inconvenience.?

    Nicholas Newman

    Cannot religion, however misguided, also provide a useful social mechanism, irrespective of people?s beliefs by reinforcing social discipline by using the power of religious sin to gain reinforce adherence to man made laws? E.g. Thou shall not kill? Of course such beliefs have, throughout history, been used by rulers to enforce their particular forms of governance, or lack of governance. The best example of this aspect has, perhaps been emperors, kings, and popes claiming they have been appointed by a god?

    Follow the LINK
     to read the rest of Nicholas’s facinating and revealing interview.

  • Activities for young people at Thomley Activity Centre

    THE following is a list of activities planned from now until October 18, 2008. (Address and contact details below)

    o Wednesday to Friday ? school term time ? Open to special schools and mainstream schools who include students with additional learning needs. Activities can be tailor-made to compliment school projects.

    o Saturday 21st June ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout and aerial zip wire etc.

    o Saturday 28th June ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout and aerial zip wire etc.

    o Tuesday 1st July ? 16+ Day – Open to disabled adults and their carers to come and make new friends in a relaxing rural environment, be creative, chill out in the sensory room and garden, use the computer room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

    o Saturday 5th July ? Community Day – Open to disabled and non-disabled children and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout and aerial zip wire etc.

    o Tuesday 8th July ? Pre-School Day ? Open to disabled and non-disabled toddlers and their parents/carers to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 12th July ? Family day (11am opening) – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 19th July ? Family day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Tuesday 22nd July ? Pre-School Day ? Open to disabled and non-disabled toddlers and their parents/carers to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o 25th-26th July – Thomley Holiday Activities, Week 1 – Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. The summer theme is ?Thomley Olympics? which will focus on indoor and outdoor sports and activities from around the world. Call the office for a detailed holiday activity planner.

    o Friday 25th July ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. Call Thomley Activity Centre office for a detailed planner of activities.

    o Saturday 26th July ? Family Day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o 29th July ? 2nd August – Thomley Holiday Activities, Week 2 – Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. The summer theme is ?Thomley Olympics? which will focus on indoor and outdoor sports and activities from around the world. Call the office for a detailed holiday activity planner.

    o Tuesday 29th July ? Teenage Day – This is our 3rd teenager day which is designed for 10 -19 year olds, plus their siblings. This will enable families to relax knowing that there will not be tiny tots around. We plan to offer teenage appropriate activities or workshops.

    o Friday 1st August ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 2nd August ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o 5th?9th August – Thomley Holiday Activities, Week 3 – Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. The summer theme is ?Thomley Olympics? which will focus on indoor and outdoor sports and activities from around the world. Call the office for a detailed holiday activity planner.

    o Tuesday 5th August – 16+ Day – Open to disabled adults and their carers to come and make new friends in a relaxing rural environment, be creative, chill out in the sensory room, cycle on our new cycle track, use the computer room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

    o Friday 8th August – Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 9th August ? Dad?s Day and official opening our new 1km cycle track. Lots of opportunities for Dads and male carers to meet others for a chat, or to simply join in with a variety of activities. We will also have a selection of books and information, specifically designed for Dad?s and male carers. Also open to disabled and non-disabled children and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o 13th?16th August – Thomley Holiday Activities, Week 4 (Centre closed on 12th August) – Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. The summer theme is ?Thomley Olympics? which will focus on indoor and outdoor sports and activities from around the world. Call the office for a detailed holiday activity planner.

    o Friday 15th August ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 16th August ? Family Quiet Day – Open to disabled children who prefer a quieter day at Thomley, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o 19th?23rd August – Thomley Holiday Activities, Week 5 – Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. The summer theme is ?Thomley Olympics? which will focus on indoor and outdoor sports and activities from around the world. Call the office for a detailed holiday activity planner.

    o Tuesday 19th August ? Pre-School Day ? Open to disabled and non-disabled toddlers and their parents/carers to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Friday 22nd August ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 23rd August – Family Day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o 26th?30th August – Thomley Holiday Activities, Week 6 – Holiday activities for disabled children, their families and friends. The summer theme is ?Thomley Olympics? which will focus on indoor and outdoor sports and activities from around the world. Call the office for a detailed holiday activity planner.

    o Tuesday 26th August ? Teenage Day – This is our 4th teenager day which is designed for 10 -19 year olds, plus their siblings. This will enable families to relax knowing that there will not be tiny tots around. We plan to offer teenage appropriate activities or workshops.

    o Friday 29th August ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 30th August ? ANNUAL OPEN DAY (11am-3pm) ? Open to ALL, free admission and no booking required. The day should be lot of fun with Olympic Games, (Thomley style!), our usual activities, stalls and a barbeque. The day will celebrate Thomley?s 6th year.

    o Tuesday 2nd September ? Saturday 13th September ? Centre closed for maintenance.

    o Tuesday 16th September – Pre-School Day ? Open to disabled and non-disabled toddlers and their parents/carers to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 20th September – Family Day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 27h September – Family Day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 4th October ? Community Day ? Open to all children (i.e. disabled and non-disabled) and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Tuesday 7th October – 16+ Day – Open to disabled adults and their carers to come and make new friends in a relaxing rural environment, be creative, chill out in the sensory room, cycle on our new cycle track, use the computer room or just have a chat and a cup of tea.

    o Saturday 11th October – Family Day – Open to disabled children, their families and friends to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Tuesday 14th October – Pre-School Day ? Open to disabled and non-disabled toddlers and their parents/carers to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/ reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o Saturday 18th October ? Dads and Male Carers Day – Lots of opportunities for Dads and male carers to meet others for a chat, or to simply join in with a variety of activities. We will also have a selection of books and information, specifically designed for Dad?s and male carers. Also open to disabled and non-disabled children and their families to enjoy our soft play room, music room, computer room, chill-out/reading room, craft room, play rooms, swings, roundabout, aerial zip wire and 1km cycle track etc.

    o N.B. All children must be accompanied by their parents/carers. Please book in advance.

    Thomley Activity Centre is a recreational and educational facility for children with disabilities, their families, friends and schools.

    Thomley Activity Centre, Menmarsh Road, Worminghall, Bucks, HP18 9JZ,
    Tel/fax: 01844 338380. Web: www.thomleyhall.org, Email: enquiries@thomleyhall.org

  • New cycle track at Thomley Activity Centre

    THE Thomley Activity Centre at Worminghall, near Thame, has recently installed a 1km long cycle track to encourage exercise and active lifestyles through cycling, running & wheelchair use.
    The design of the track, once fully complete, will also include road safety features to help young people learn about street awareness and cycle proficiency so that they can cycle more safely at home. The centre also plans to run cycling proficiency courses which will improve cycling skills, increase road safety awareness and reduce danger to children.

    The cycle track was in use for the first time during the recent national Cycle Week.

    NOTE: Thomley Activity Centre is a recreational facility for disabled children (0-16 yrs), their families, friends and schools. Its aim is to achieve the following outcomes.
    o To increase the self esteem, health, confidence and social skills of disabled children and their siblings through accessible play and recreation.
    o To provide parents with an opportunity to meet others who have disabled children, to lessen their isolation and to increase their ability to support their children through play.
    o To help the community gain understanding and acceptance of disability issues so they can include disabled children within their own community activities.

    Many sporting & physical activities are often not made accessible to people with disabilities. Most non-disabled children have access to playing fields, accessible play equipment and a safe area in which to play. Through Thomley?s work, we strive to offer a variety of fully accessible equipment suitable for all ages and abilities so that disabled children have equal opportunities as non disabled children.

    Thomley Activity Centre
    Menmarsh Road
    Worminghall
    Bucks
    HP18 9JZ
    Tel/Fax: 01844 338380
    E Mail: enquiries@thomleyhall.org Website: www.thomleyhall.org

  • Thame Ladies Junior wins Thame 10K

    A young Thame athlete was the faster junior lady in the recent Thame 10k race, and raced over

  • New guide to scenic rail route through Oxfordshire

    THE first-ever guide to the Cotswolds & Malverns railway line, which runs through Oxfordshire for part of its course, has been launched.
    The Cotswolds & Malverns line links gems such as Oxford, Evesham, Worcester, Malvern and Hereford and gets right to the heart of historic towns and cities, superb countryside and areas of outstanding natural beauty and idyllic, old-English villages.

    The Partnership, which includes Oxfordshire County Council, neighbouring county and district councils, train operators and tourism organisations, hopes the new guide will increase off-peak leisure travel along the line and show how easy it is to combine train travel and sustainable tourism.

    In Oxfordshire, the line calls at Hanborough, Combe, Finstock, Charlbury, Ascott Under Wychwood, Shipton and Kingham.

    What is in the guide?
    The fold-out guide highlights things to do and places to see along the line, profiles of the towns and cities, a large map, helpful information about buses and trains and details of how to explore the areas of outstanding natural beauty.

    The guide will also be the first time the public will see the new identity created for the railway. The logo will gradually appear on station signs and publicity during 2008.

    The free guide will be available at staffed First Great Western and London Midland stations, local council offices, libraries and tourist information centres.

    Exciting time

    Adrian Saunders Rail, Development Officer at Oxfordshire County Council, said: ?A lot of work has gone into producing our first ever guide. I hope people will make use of it when thinking about a day trip or short break.
    “We?d like to boost use of the railway at times when the trains are less busy so we can push for an even-better train service. This is an exciting time for the line, with high speed trains, improved reliability and a government decision on building more track coming in the summer.?

    Richard Rowland, Regional Manager for First Great Western, added: ?We have given our support to the Partnership for many years and their new guide shows how easy it is to explore one of the most attractive parts of the country by train. Our new range of ranger and rover tickets make it even more affordable to use the train for leisure travel.?

  • Quiz for heart fund raises

    A quiz night held at Chinnor Rugby club, in Thame, recently, in aid of the Richard Wheeler Memorial, supporting the British Heart Foundation, raised a total of

  • Thame fire fighter returns from helping Pakistan fight natural disasters

    FOUR members of U.K. based ERT Search and Rescue, including a Thame fire officer, have just returned from a unique mission where they spent almost a month on the Afghan border of Pakistan.
    In a country heavily hit by all sorts of life threatening hazards, Thame’s Andy Ford and his three colleagues have been teaching Civil Defence Master Trainers in the North West Frontier Province how to prepare for disasters and what to do when they occur.

    Andy told Thamenews.Net: “It was very rewarding, and very hot – 45 degrees C on most days, which took a bit of getting used too!. There were a few security risks in the area, but we were made very welcome – the majority of people just want to get on with their lives.
    “Those on the programme were dedicated to gaining more information to help them cope with the potential risk of future disasters. They live with the understanding of not ‘if’ but ‘when’ another earthquake will occur in the region.
    “There is a long way to go but hope this initative can grow with more support and funding giving the Pakistan people some resilience for the future.”

    As well as working locally during the floods in Britain last year with their water rescue teams around the clock with the Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the team also responds to disasters abroad and recently stood down from the situation in Myanmar and the China earthquake.
    Ten ERT Search & Rescue members from the Thames Valley deployed during the earthquake in Pakistan and carried out several rescue missions over two weeks after the earthquake, where the casualty count sometimes exceeded 600 a day. They travelled by foot and helicopter to reach and rescue the victims of that disaster.

    The lessons of the Earthquake of October 2005 were harsh and ERT Search & Rescue were privileged to help thousands with their emergency rescue deployment during the rescue and relief phase back then. But now, amidst a different time where the monsoon season is about to start, floods are imminent, explosions and bombings are a regular occurrence and natural and manmade disasters are an ever present threat ? the team were there in a mentoring and training capacity to teach the Pakistan Civil Defence Teams how to pass this information onto others.

    This programme was interspersed with consultations and meetings with UN level stakeholders such as ERRA (Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority) and the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) to help to build Pakistan?s resilience against the threats it currently faces. And there are modern challenges too with more computers in this region viruses are ubiquitous and an outbreak of Bird Flu occurred in the area the day the team left. Terrorism and firearm incidents occur almost daily. But the Pakistan people are resilient and strong. The team was greeted very kindly and treated very well by their hosts.

    Pakistan has been proactive in its capacity building initiatives and have implemented many strategies and plans to mitigate the next potential disaster. It is felt by experts that another earthquake is very possible in that region and preparations for this and other hazards are underway. A specialist course was created with federal government support for school children ? but first a team of teachers and master trainers had to be developed for this programme which would initially pilot in the North West Frontier Province. 26 senior Master Trainers were hand-picked by the government and key international stake holders to participate in this course, which was written and developed by Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response expert, Gary Foo of ERT SAR. The Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Education made their approvals, based on their own governmental resolution, so that this programme could launch. This information will be taught to school teachers who will then teach it in schools to some 40,000 school children. Another programme is expected to be start up in the coming months.

    Gary Foo is the head of ERT Search and Rescue, a local charity which is based in Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire. Former Police Officer and Royal College of Surgeons recognised PHTLS Paramedic, Gary, was joined by fellow ERT SAR rescue instructors, Merv Redfearn (who spent 30 years as a Royal Marine Commando and was also with Gary during the emergency rescue phase in October 2005), as well as Oxfordshire Fire Fighter, Andy Ford, and Ropes and Water Rescue Technician, Will Selley. The team took various items with them for the mission and left them there. They are now seeking more relevant items from fire fighting kit, to first aid and rescue items to cash for their next return mission in August.

    More information on the team and their national and international work can be found at:
    www.ert-sar.org.uk.

    The team have been asked to return again in August to complete the next phase of this capacity building programme and they are seeking financial and equipment donations for the charity.

    To donate go online at: LINK
     or post cheques to ERT Search & Rescue, Fawley Court, Henley On Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 3AE. Enquiries for membership should be directed to membership@ert-sar.org

    Photo: Thame fire fighter, Andy Ford (2nd left) with three colleagues in Pakistan

  • Green candidate thanks voters

    Sir,
    I wish to thank all of your readers who voted for me
    in the recent parliamentary by-election for the Henley
    constituency.
    We came a creditable third in what was portrayed as a
    two horse race. Thank you to everyone who had the
    courage to vote for a Green future.
    Many householders were pleased that we did not
    inundate them with leaflets and were happy to talk
    with us at meetings, hustings or on the door step if
    they wanted to know more.
    I will continue to campaign for a Greener and more
    sustainable South Oxfordshire and would be happy to
    hear from any readers who would like to help. Contact
    me on mark@greenoxford.com or 07946891826.

  • CPM Thame 10km Road Race 2008

    THE CPM Thame 10km road race will start at 9.30 am at the Thame Leisure Centre. Entry forms can be downloaded from the club?s website: www.thamerunners.co.uk, and are also available from the Information Centre at Thame Town Hall.
    This year?s event will take in a larger section of the Phoenix Trail and will have electronic chip timing for the first time to ensure accurate timing of the 1,000 runners expected to take part.
    The children?s fun run will be back as well as part of the 2008 event.