Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • More criticism over election papers

    Dear Sonja

    Like Mrs Bristow, I too have expressed concern about the amount of paper being delivered for the by-election. With the exception of the Green Party None of it seems to be on recycled paper. All this ?literature? seems to do is to denigrate the other main parties.

    I am also fed up with being pestered by telephone. I have taken numerous calls and told them my views several times. What is all this costing?

    With one of the safest Conservative seats in the country, I am disappointed that votes for other parties will make very little difference. However, it is really important that we do vote. One only has to look at other countries to see how lucky we are to live in a democracy where no one need fear reprisals for casting their vote.

    We can use our votes to show what is important to us and keep pushing for proportional representation that would force parties to work together rather than run each other down all the time.

    Cathy Gaulter-Carter

  • Another chance to see Patrick Collins’ Polarities

    WHERE does one look in the search for ones true identity? What drives explorers to risk all in probing the unchartered? And what is Enid Blyton doing at the South Pole?
    Thame based company Broken Lace investigates these mysteries in a swift-moving piece of theatre written and directed by their founder, Patrick Collins.

    If you missed Thame-based Broken Theatre’s production in Thame last Friday, there are two more opportunities to see Patrick Collins’ latest play.
    The splendid theatre of Wadham College, Oxford, on Monday, June 23, will be the setting for his extraordinary play, Polarities and if you can’t make that, it will be performed at the Limelight Theatre in Aylesbury’s Queens Park Arts Centre on Saturday, June 28.

    Further details and ticket enquiries are available from Arts Desire in Swan Walk, Thame (01844 215440).

  • Celebration of volunteering

    THE recent event celebrating volunteering in Thame, attracted many visitors and some potential new volunteers for local charities and organisations.
    The event was held at Thame town hall.
    The event was organised by the Chair of the Thame Community network, Beatrice Dobie, to coincide with
    National Volunteers Week and included stalls and displays by local groups such as The Thame Museum, Cuttlebrook volunteers, Thame and District Lions, Thame Amnesty group and the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
    Mrs Dobie said: “There was a slow but steady trickle of visitors and I was very impressed with the standard of some very appealing displays.”

  • June gardening newsletter from Jane Follis

    CHELSEA is over for another year and with a week of glorious weather it gave hope for things to come? What a hideous bank holiday weekend we have had. All plans for a relaxing and peaceful couple of days in the garden thwarted by incessant rain. The show was fabulous though and I loved the tranquillity offered by designers such as Tom Stuart-Smith, Cleve West and Andy Sturgeon. I have always admired their work, but this year I thought they surpassed themselves.

    Personally, I love tackling shaded gardens and the flowers that thrive seem to give an ethereal feel, bobbing so proudly amongst the sea of green. What I wouldn?t give for just one of those beautiful Carpinus cloud trees, although I am not sure my bank manager would endorse such a frivolity! We are all wondering where Tom found them ? probably some far-flung corner of the globe? Rumour has it that he sources his trees first and then designs his gardens around his find. What a luxury.
    I rarely get to Chelsea but the TV coverage is probably more satisfactory anyhow. The crowds are such that you can only really go in one direction whilst desperately trying to glimpse gardens through a sea of heads, usually about 12 deep. I find the whole experience rather frustrating. Next year I think I might try one of the horrendously expensive pre-show dinners or try and get a ticket for Press Day on the Monday. Now that is bliss. You can wander around, talking to designers and friends and actually see and feel everything.

    I really do love this time of year in the garden with all the perennials coming in to their own. The new area I created seems to be doing well and I can?t wait for all the new stock to come through. I can see it here from my office and hope it doesn?t distract me from my work too much in the coming months. My excuse is that the beauty of it will inspire my designs?

    Business continues to be brisk, to say the least. It gets increasingly difficult to fit everything in to a normal working week. At least we are at a point in the year where it is impossible to build a garden for this summer and this does begin to release the pressure. I still find it hard to say ?no?, but I am getting better!

    This year I hope to take the best part of July off to re-charge the batteries and spend some quality time at home, see my family and take a break away. I seem to have been neglecting all of these for too long and feel it is time to re-address the balance.

    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
    BAKED ASPARAGUS WITH OLIVE OIL, LEMON AND PARMESAN
    Bunch of Asparagus Parmesan cheese
    Olive Oil Lemon Juice

    This is such a simple recipe and I often put Parma Ham over the top of it for extra flavour. Break the asparagus stems. Take the tip in one finger and the stem in the other and bend. The asparagus will break naturally and what you are left with is the edible bit without any stringy bits. Throw into a tray and liberally cover with olive oil making sure it is covered well. Sprinkle on some freshly ground pepper.
    Pop in the oven to bake, turning occasionally. It takes about 10minutes. When the tips feel soft add the parmesan shavings and return to the oven for a few moments. This would be when I add the Parma Ham.
    Take out of the oven and squeeze over a little lemon juice and add a little more parmesan. Serve with crusty bread.

    SEASONAL TIPS
    With all this rain we have had the lawns are growing well. Mow regularly but don?t set the blades too low as this could create bare patches which
    in turn can lead to moss invasion later.

    I know it sounds daft, but if you do have a new lawn, don?t rely on the rain, it will still need to be soaked thoroughly whilst it is getting established. The same goes for any new plants ? the odd sprinkle with a watering can is simply not enough. However, avoid over-watering Mediterranean style plants such as Lavander and Rosemary.

    Deadhead early flowering perennials to encourage a second flush of flowers. Now that the primulas have finished flowering, dig them Up and divide for next year. Remember these are great indicators of lack of water in the garden. If the leaves are looking limp and sad it means your garden needs watering.

    Lift tulip and narcissus (daffodil) bulbs and store in a cool place ready for re-planting in the autumn. I tend not to do this and leave them to multiply in situ.
    Continue to stake taller perennials. Deadhead spring flowering shrubs such as Azaleas and feed with sulphate of ammonia to encourage new growth and flower buds for next year.

    Roses, of all types will probably need spraying against aphids. Remove dead flowers and feed towards the end of the month.

    VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDEN
    Despite the rain make sure any newly transplanted seedlings are watered in well and kept watered whilst they are establishing themselves.

    Start a new compost heap. There are plenty of grass cuttings available at this time of year and for me, loads of bits from the kitchen and garden. Compost tends to break down in the heat of summer more quickly.

    Thin vegetables sown in April and May and earth up potatoes.

    As usual there are just too many vegetables to cover in this issue. In my own garden the tomatoes are enormous and are actually fruiting. I nurtured them from seedlings in my office and then potted them on and left them in an unheated greenhouse from about the beginning of May.

    The aubergines, squash and pumpkin are desperate to be potted on. These are in the greenhouse, but as I am growing an Aubergine capable of growing outside these will be put outside early this month.

    The leeks, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbages, fennel and endive are all ready to be transplanted into the vegetable patch.

    Growing outside and coming on apace, I have Broad Beans, French Beans, Jerusalem Artichoke, Horseradish, Greek Cress, Salad crops, Spinach, Carrotts, Onions and Garlic. Hopefully, I can sow much more this weekend. The Goji berries and raspberries (my only fruit) are doing well although there is no sign of fruit of the Goji berries as yet.

    If any of you love growing your own vegetables and enjoy cooking them I can highly recommend Jamie Oliver?s ?Jamie at Home?. He is the inspiration for growing so many tomatoes this year. ISBN 978-0-718-15243-7.
    Net soft fruit against birds.
    Don?t forget to water all fruit trees.
    Plums should be thinned in two stages. In early June prune lightly and then in late June thin to 5-8cm apart.
    Lay straw under strawberries. Cut old canes of raspberries and other cane fruits to ground level once the new suckers have appeared.
    Thin gooseberries.
    Thin out apples and pears to encourage larger fruits. Spray against scab and mildew at the end of the month.
    Pinch out the tips of new fig shoots once they have five leaves.

    GREENHOUSE
    This is the month for feeding. Nitrogen and potash are the foods most
    needed at this time of year. It is a good idea to get into the habit of
    feeding once a week.
    Sow cucumbers for late summer and autumn fruiting. Pinch out male
    flowers on those already established.
    Thin out grapes.
    Ventilate regularly and apply shading. Damp down and keep the door open on warmer days.
    Watch out for pests and diseases.
    Conservatory/greenhouse plants benefit from being moved outside
    during the summer, but if tender bring them in at night.

    POINTS OF INTEREST

    Patio Heaters. I know I keep going on about these, but here are some
    facts. I shall leave this item in the Newsletter for some months!
    * One hour of heating uses the same energy as making 400 cups of tea.
    * We could power a small town with the energy needed to power the UK?s one million patio heaters.
    * They do not heat your patio, they heat the atmosphere.
    * They are hugely unattractive
    * By burning wood or charcoal, we are releasing back into the atmosphere carbon which has only just been locked up in that wood.
    * The Market Transformation Programme has calculated that a heater used regularly in a pub or restaurant produces 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The average household only produces 6.

    Portable firepits or bowls are fashionable and stylish options. Please take a look at what is available and help redress the balance. I?d be happy to help or even design a permanent sunken firepit as a feature in your gardens.

    The Soil Association has launched A Taste of the Good Life. These are classes held on organic farms throughout the UK. Anything from sausage making, yarn spinning to hedge laying. www.soilassociation.org/masterclasses.

    Reduce your Carbon Footprint. Schumacher College in Devon is running a practical course (7-11th April) to help you do just this with facts and inspiration from leading experts in sustainability.
    Tel: 01803 865 934. www.schumachercollege.org.uk

    The Plant Exchange. Buy and sell plants from small local growers or offload anything surplus in your own garden.
    www.theplantexchange.co.uk / tel: 01387 370707

    Japanese knotweed is a highly invasive plant and if you know of anyone who has it perhaps you could get them to contact www.environet-uk.co.uk . The website shows how to identify it and what action to take.
    This stuff can grow three meters in a year, overwhelms other plants, causes extensive damage to property and can lower property value.

    BBOWT
    I have a great friend, Maggie Piggott, who works at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust as the Community Wildlife Officer for Bucks. She is an expert on wildlife gardening. BBOWT has a Wildlife Information Service which takes over 700 calls per year. The service is open on a Monday ? 01865 788307. There are over 38 fact sheets available. For a list please visit ? www.bbowt.org.uk. Maggie will send me an article each month which I am happy to forward on to anyone.
    This month she is covering ?Batty about Bats?.

    PLACES TO VISIT

    Schooldays in the Garden
    Offer garden events at various venues all through the summer.
    www.schooldaysinthegarden.com / Tel: 01962 760346

    Leeds Castle
    Castle of Roses Flower Festival and Gardening Weekend
    18-22nd June Tel: 0870 6008880
    www.leeds-castle.com

    Open Garden Squares Weekend
    See London?s secret green spaces 7-8th June
    Tickets from www.opensquares.org

    Hampton Court Flower Show
    8th ? 13th July
    Charity Gala Preview Monday 7th July 6 ? 11pm Tickets from

  • The nuts and bolts and the way forward with the U3A (Contributed)

    THE four local U3A groups recently held their annual conference and the message was: “What U3A can do for you and what you can do for U3A.”
    The conference was planned and organised by Chinnor & District, Haddenham, Thame & District and Greater Thame, or CHATT as they were labelled for the organising Committee.
    The Conference took place on Wednesday, May 28, at Lord Williams?s Lower School and was attended by around 120 delegates from the 34 U3As within the Thames Valley. They were warmly welcomed by the Conference Chairman, Mike Price (Greater Thame) who introduced the theme for the day.

    The keynote speaker for the opening session was Eric Midwinter, one of the three ?founding fathers? of the Third Age Movement in Britain in 1982. He spoke of the history of the U3A and the aspirations and ideology of his fellow founders Peter Laslett and Michael Young. Bearing in mind that ?the third age? is defined as ?those who are no longer in full-time gainful employment? he described how Peter Laslett challenged the idea that people would be limited in what they did as they got older because they were ageing. Michael Young believed that everyone was special and had something to offer and that this was most effective if organised collectively.

    Linking in with the theme for the Conference, Eric Midwinter was full of encouragement as new U3As are springing up all around the country. Between them they provide a richly diverse opportunity for members to further their learning, share their expertise and enrich their social activities. Looking to the future he said: “It is important to remember that you need members. They may do something later!”
    Quoting someone he had met at one time who had said: “You?ll never start a U3A round here, it?s full of old people!” he pointed out that we must recognise that the U3A is not for everyone. But he was sure that everyone who could benefit from a U3A should be in a U3A.

    Following this talk delegates dispersed to take part in the six Discussion Groups arranged as part of the programme for the day. These were: Legal Aspects and Responsibilities of U3As; Encouraging Involvement; Interest Groups; Inspiring Visits; Are Monthly Meetings Necessary, Does Size Matter? and U3A-Education and/or Leisure?

    There was much lively discussion following our inspiring keynote speech and this spilled over into the lunch break which fairly ?buzzed? with conversation.

    The Discussion Groups had been led by Leaders drawn from the organising U3As and they were supported by Recorders who reported back to the Conference at the start of the afternoon session. Their reports will be summarised in the overall Conference report.

    Terry Hardy, Finance Officer at the Third Age Trust, stood in for Lin Jonas, Administrator who was unable to be with us. He spoke of each U3A as being an independent body gave an overview of the support offered through the Third Age Trust. He then went on to address the various issues that U3As in the Thames Valley had raised prior to this Conference. These ranged from Charity Commission requirements, Registration to Gift Aid, payments to speakers and Insurance matters to accounts. He also brought the Conference up-to-date with the resolution agreed at the recent EGM of the Third Age Trust and the effect on the Thames Valley U3As. The Third Age Trust is now organising its erstwhile Areas into Regions in line with Government Statistical Regions. This is now a matter for our Thames Valley U3As to consider at their Chairmen?s meeting.

    Professor Peter Jarvis, Chairman of Thatcham U3A, gave an enthusiastic overview of the day. Then, together with the incoming Chairman of Newbury, he also spoke briefly of the Conference being planned for 2009 and hosted by their U3As.

    The Conference ended with tea and cakes. This gave delegates an opportunity to speak with Terry Hardy who was much in demand. Once again there was a real ?buzz? of discussion and conversation over the teacups.

  • Ten tonnes of paper through the doors of South Oxfordshire!

    SINCE the Henley By-election was called two weeks ago the residents of South Oxfordshire have been bombarded by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats with flyers, leaflets, letters (typed and handwritten!), newspapers and glossy magazines.
    Within hours of the announcement of John Howell as Conservative candidate the first document came through my door.? This was followed by a further four arriving on the following five days.

    I have received copies of the Oxfordshire News, which claims to be a newspaper for South Oxfordshire. After a few seconds reading, however I soon realise that this is nothing but more election material from the Liberal Democrats.

    John Howell has sent me glossy magazines, newspapers, letters from David Cameron, letters from Boris?it goes on and on.

    The most infuriating and amusing document to come through the letter box was the lovely blue envelope, hand written with a nice 2nd class stamp on the front. Who can this be from, I thought, perhaps some correspondence from aunty or grandma?but no such luck, inside is a letter from guess who Stephen Kearney!

    Apart from the annoyance there is the very serious issue of waste.? When you are dealing with such large quantities it is little comfort to be told that it has come from a sustainable source.

    The 13 publications which I have received from the Liberal Democrats weighs a total of 118 grams, the Conservatives have sent 10 which weigh in at 108 grams. There are 42,300 households in the Henley Constituency, so when you had up all this paper it comes to a total of 9.5 tonnes. Lets also take into account the amount of ink used, the energy used to print all this election material and delivery across the constituency.? How can John Howell say “Vote Blue, Go Green? It really is a contradiction.

    I was delighted to see that the Green Party have sent just one A5 leaflet to every household which totals just 15 kilos of paper. This is a party who are obviously far more confident about what they have to say.

    John Howell and Stephen Kearney must be feeling very insecure to feel the need to contact their constituents so frequently. Remember lads – it’s not quantity its quality!

    Mrs L Bristow
    Secretary of the Dorchester Carbon Project

  • Tons of paper through the letter boxes of South Oxfordshire

    SINCE the Henley By-election was called two weeks ago the residents of South Oxfordshire have been bombarded by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats with flyers, leaflets, letters (typed and handwritten!), newspapers and glossy magazines.
    Within hours of the announcement of John Howell as Conservative candidate the first document came through my door. This was followed by a further four arriving on the following five days.

    I have received copies of the Oxfordshire News, which claims to be a newspaper for South Oxfordshire. After a few seconds reading, however I soon realise that this is nothing but more election material from the Liberal Democrats.

    John Howell has sent me glossy magazines, newspapers, letters from David Cameron, letters from Boris it goes on and on.

    The most infuriating and amusing document to come through the letter box was the lovely blue envelope, hand written with a nice 2nd class stamp on the front. Who can this be from, I thought, perhaps some correspondence from aunty or grandma but no such luck, inside is a letter from guess who Stephen Kearney!

    Apart from the annoyance there is the very serious issue of waste. When you are dealing with such large quantities it is little comfort to be told that it has come from a sustainable source.

    The 13 publications which I have received from the Liberal Democrats weighs a total of 118 grams, the Conservatives have sent 10 which weigh in at 108 grams. There are 42,300 households in the Henley Constituency, so when you had up all this paper it comes to a total of 9.5 tonnes. Lets also take into account the amount of ink used, the energy used to print all this election material and delivery across the constituency. How can John Howell say “Vote Blue, Go Green? It really is a contradiction.

    I was delighted to see that the Green Party have sent just one A5 leaflet to every household which totals just 15 kilos of paper. This is a party who are obviously far more confident about what they have to say.

    John Howell and Stephen Kearney must be feeling very insecure to feel the need to contact their constituents so frequently. Remember lads – it’s not quantity its quality!

    Mrs L Bristow
    Secretary of the Dorchester Carbon Project

  • Town council to investigate red diesel as fuel prices rise

    THE ever rising cost of fuel is beginning to bite local councils.
    As Thame Town Council faces a rise in its fuel bills for grass-cutting machines, it is to investigate the possible use of so-called Red Diesel, which includes less tax in the price and is therefore cheaper.
    The council will need to balance the cost of storage against any price saving.

  • Thame to appoint Honoury Town Crier

    THAME is to have its own, honoury Town Crier. The town council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee have voted to appoint Anthony Church, who has ‘cried’ many times at local events in Thame in the past.
    Town Criers date back to the Middle Ages when civil authorities appointed them to keep citizens informed on matters of national and local importance. These days they attend civic ceremonies, charity functions, tourism and commercial events where their colourful costumes and historic importance add interest to the occasion.

    The council says that it feels that officially adopting Anthony Church as Thame’s Honorary Town Crier would be very beneficial to Thame in that he would actively promote the town in other areas, spreading the word about how delightful and picturesque it is and with news about forthcoming events. This, it says, could help encourage visitors and at the same time recreate an old tradition.

    Anthony, who has also been adopted by Daventry, Banbury, Chipping Norton and recently Wallingford, would receive a small fee for each occasion which the council says would be absorbed within the budge of each event or promotion.

  • Redevelopement of Thame allotments rumour scotched

    A RUMOUR that land in Thame currently used for allotments is to be developed, has been denied by Thame Town Council.
    Allotment holders at Stones Close, Windmill Road, have recently asked the town council to terminate the lease with them to manage the site and to discuss the future management of the site. They told the council that they feared the land they have worked for many years might be earmarked for housing development in the future.
    There is currently a waiting list for allotment in Thame and at a meeting of the council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee last night, it was agreed that a management committee be formed between the town council and allotment holders for the future management of the Stones Close allotments.

    The secretary of the Thame and District Allotment Society will apparently continue to manage the Kingsey Road allotments site.

    Photo courtesey of Thame Town Council: Mr Chris Majkut digs his allotment at Stones Close, Thame.