Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame toy shop company goes into administration

    THE company behind Toyzone, which owns the Pied Pedaller toy shop in Thame, has been taken into Administration.
    Youngsters, the company behind all 20 Toyzone stores, found that conditions over the Christmas period, which is traditionally the peak time for toy retailers, were tougher than expected, resulting in increased cash flow pressure which the company can no longer sustain.
    The Administrator says that it is now “reviewing options” and hopes to secure a buyer for the business and its assets but that all 20 stores will carrying on trading while a buyer is sought.

    It would seem that in the City, analysts are predicting a rise in the rate of businesses defaulting on loan agreements as consumers cut back on spending in the face of climbing mortgage bills.

  • Chinnor RFC one step nearer the ‘dizzy heights’ (Contributed)

    Chinnor v Weston Super Mare – March 29 – MATCH REPORT
    Chinnor 39 pts, Weston – Super – Mare 0 pts
    THE conditions were most certainly not suited for an expansive game. In scoring seven tries Chinnor made light of the elements. They still managed to exploit the speed of their backs, particularly in the first half, where they played into the driving wind and rain. In Phil Huxford, Pip Seymour and Martyn O’Mahoney, Chinnor possess an exceptionally pacey back three. With a sound half-back pairing and a solid pair of centres, Chinnor are now able to cause problems to most of their opponents.This was so on Saturday against Weston Super Mare.
    Chinnor elected to play into the wind at Kingsey Road on Saturday.
    The early skirmishes were evenly balanced, with Chinnor endeavouring to keep the ball in hand opting for route one via their forwards. A break out by Chinnor from inside their 22 metre line saw then spread the ball wide giving Pip Seymour the opportunity to outstrip the covering defence and score at the corner flag. Into the driving wind the attempted conversion was a non starter even by James Cathcart’s standards. This try in the 12th minute was followed by another some 14 minutes later when Darren Oxley joined a forward drive to score near the posts. Cathcart converted this one, although after the ball went through the posts, the wind drove it back from whence it came.Owen Gustafson was next on the score sheet after supporting a move which once again started well inside Chinnor territory. With Phil Huxford showing an exceptional change of pace to deceive the cover defence, Chinnor had scored 4 tries into the wind at the interval.
    For the first quarter of the second half, Weston were a different team. With their forwards taking the game to the home side, they battered the Chinnor line with a last ditch defence just keeping them at bay, and when the ball was turned over, the relieving kick went many a mile. However they still came back at Chinnor before a break out saw Darren Oxley shrug off a couple of tacklers to offload to the supporting Grizz McQuire to go over under the posts, allowing Cathcart an easy conversion. Further tries from James Cathcart after prolonged pressure allowed him to go over, with no one at home, and finally following a delicate chip from Trevor Powell,Richard Williams won the chase to the touch down.
    This was a sensible performance from a Chinnor side who recognise that this was just one performance out of the four required to scale the dizzy heights.

    Chinnor 1st team play Oxford Harlequins in the Oxfordshire Cup Final at Iffley Road, Oxford kick off 3 30pm this Saturday 5th April.

  • Thieves use stolen cream lorry to drive away haul

    THIEVES who stole

  • Thame assault charge

    POLICE have today charged a 16-year-old boy from Aylesbury with grievous bodily harm, in relation to an incident on September 14, 2007 in Ludsden Grove in Thame, where a man was assaulted.
    The youth appeared at Oxford Youth Court today (2/4.

  • Critical acclaim for Dr Slaggleberry

    LOCAL, riotous gang, DR SLAGGLEBERRY, continue to receive very positive responses following the release of their latest self titled 4 track EP via Chinnor based, Crash Records, in March.
    Immediately they were awarded Single of the Week from Organ magazine and a wave of critical praise followed

    “It?s one of the most infectious four trackers I have heard in a while 9/10”
    Komodo Rock

    “?blow convention out of the water and dig deeper into a horror film sound than I have heard in a long time”
    Insiders Guides

    “?four tracks which never let up, push the boundaries of experimental hardcore and leave the listener glancing over their UK tour sheet”
    Music Magazine

    “So unhinged they somehow make Rolo Tomassi and Mr Bungle sound like Keane covering The Feeling”
    Rock Midgets

    The foursome hail from iOxford & Bucks and the present line up has been together for just over a year and are about to embark on a mass of UK dates to promote the latest release.

    Having been described as Math Metal to Jazzcore to Progressive rock, the band take to the road to help the UK make up their own mind. Compared to musical influences mixed in a food blender, that description does not do justice to the level of musicianship that Dr Slagglerry show. A psychotic soundtrack meeting progessive guitars managed to create a unique sound and in turn earmark Dr Slaggleberry as the must see band of 2008.

    Having just done an interview with Kerrang Radio, they have been invited into Total Rock Radio offices in April to be interviewed, and now BBC6 are going to feature SCAT on next weeks show.
    ?Its been an amazing response to the EP release, its kinda taken us a little bit by surprise really, it was great getting featured on the front page of Organ magazine, and all these great reviews coming in daily for the EP. The tour is coming to an end now, and we shall be back in the studio writing and recording the album which will be released in the summer?

    Next gig: 16 Apr : Bull & Gate, London

    LINK

  • Cash boost for crime prevention

    EFFORTS to prevent local children and young people from Oxfordshire becoming involved with crime and anti-social behaviour have been given a cash boost.
    A total of

  • Explore Shakespeare with Chiltern Rail

    CHILTERN Rail’s Shakespeare Explorer is a flexible, great value ticket that allows you to get out and about on the network, especially in Shakespeare Country.
    It gives you:

    ? One outward and return journey from London Marylebone to Leamington Spa, Warwick, Warwick Parkway and all intermediate stations to Stratford-upon-Avon.

    ? Unlimited travel to and from all stations between Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon (inclusive) for the period of validity.

    ? Break of journey at stations between London Marylebone and Leamington Spa when travelling to or from the Rover area – stop off at Bicester Village or other attractions along our route.

    See: Chiltern Rail’s website

  • Prince Michael launches new scheme for young driver offenders

    A ground-breaking education scheme for young drivers caught committing moving road traffic offences was launched today by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent.
    The Young Driver Scheme gives under 25 year-olds caught committing driving offences in the Thames Valley, the opportunity to find out about the consequences of their offending driving as an alternative to receiving points on their driving licence and a

  • ‘Stop chasing London dreams’ Boris Told

    FOLLOWING Boris Johnson’s ‘Commons questions this week about PSCOs on London Buses, the Labour Candidate for Henley, has demanded that Boris show what efforts he has made to support his own constituency’s PCSOs.
    Richard McKenzie said today: “At a time when Henley’s PCSOs and Police Officers are calling for the public’s support it seems perverse that Henley’s MP is spending his time in Parliament campaigning for PCSO’s on London’s Buses.
    “I have written to Mr Johnson requesting that he detail what efforts he has made to support his local PCSOs and Police Officers in the Henley Constituency,” continued McKenzie.
    He went on to say: “I hope that Boris will quickly concentrate on the people who are paying his salary and allowances, rather than spending time chasing his London dreams.”

  • Local Group tells politicians ‘stop ignoring aviation’ (Status: Press release)

    ‘GORDON BROWN’ will be standing outside Thame town hall next Saturday, when a local environmental group urges him and Boris Johnson MP to stop ignoring aviation’s contribution to carbon emissions.
    Thame and chinnor Friends of the Earth – together with a life-size cardboard Prime Minister – will be drawing attention to the outside Thame town hall from 10am.

    The group wants the Government?s new Climate Change Law to cover all sources of carbon dioxide emissions, including the UK?s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Boris Johnson, MP for the Henley constituency, will have the opportunity to vote on the law when it is debated in Parliament later this month.
    Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth is taking action as part of a national day of action in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth?s campaign for a strong Climate Change law.
    Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a strong Climate Change law through The Big Ask. The law, which is set to be introduced this summer, is groundbreaking but, says FOE, needs strengthening if the UK is to play its part in tackling climate change.
    The Government?s proposed law does not count the UK?s share of emissions from international aviation and shipping. Friends of the Earth believes it is ludicrous to pretend these emissions don?t exist, and unfair to treat aviation and shipping any differently to other sectors of the economy. They say that the Government already publishes figures on aviation emissions and there is no practical reason why they can not be included from the outset. A way of including shipping emissions should be worked out as a matter of urgency says the group.

    “Aviation is a fast growing source of carbon dioxide emissions. Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions [1]. The impact of aviation emissions is double that of carbon dioxide alone because of other gases that planes pump out at altitude [2]”
    The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth?s climate campaign, is calling on Boris Johnson to vote for a strong climate change law that:
    *Includes the UK?s share of emissions from
    international shipping and aviation

    *Commits the UK to cutting its emissions by
    80 per cent

    *Ensures steady progress by cutting emissions
    by at least 3 per cent a year

    Chinnor and Thame Friends of the Earth Maureen Dyroff, supporter and local resident said:
    ?It?s crazy for Gordon Brown to leave out climate changing emissions from planes and ships from the new Climate Change Law but that?s what he is doing. Why should our local industry and businesses be held to account for their carbon emissions but not the aviation industry? We hope our MP, Boris Johnson, will use his vote to call for a strong Climate Change law that covers all emissions.
    “Friends of the Earth?s Day of Action on Saturday, April 5, will be one of many inspiring events taking place during the Climate Change Bill Week of Action coordinated by Stop Climate Chaos/I Count, from March 30 to April 5, demanding a tough Climate Change law.

    [1] Government figures published in January 2008 showed aviation accounts for 6.4 per cent of UK carbon emissions. www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics

    [2] Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2002). The Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight (see www.rcep.org.uk/aviation.htm).