Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Chinnor RFC Slaughters Cleve (Contributed)

    SOUTH West Division One, Chinnor 29 pts Cleve 0 pts; Saturday 5th January – MATCH REPORT
    Once again Chinnor, on winning the toss, elected to play with the wind. Possibly a fairly risky strategy in that sufficient points need to be accumulated in the first 40 minutes to provide a buffer from an inevitable second half onslaught by their opponents. However this was the third time this season that they have chosen to have the wind at their backs and the third time the gamble has paid off. The key to this strategy is patience and once again it took up to 15 minutes for Chinnor to register their first points via a rolling maul. James Cathcart, who’s tactical kicking in the first half was spot on, put them in the right place to launch the forward drive with Patrick Stennings going over. Cathcart’s place kicking was also on song with a conversion from the touchline and a well judged penalty some 3 minutes later increased the Chinnor lead. It was Ben Hewitt’s time next as he went over the line with the Cleve defence in complete disarray. Cathcart converted with soaring kick from the touchline. With Craig Burrows and Tom Whelan both scoring via forward drives, and Cathcart kicking another conversion, the Chinnor option of using the wind advantage in the first half appeared vindicated.
    The second half saw Cleve continually attacking the Chinnor line, but all to no avail. It was a fine defensive display by the entire side which was occasionally assisted by some poor Cleve handling. With Ben Hewitt claiming a catch behind his goal line meant for Cleve winger Huntley they had exhausted all their options to leave them scoreless. A fine win to start the new year but there remain stiffer hurdles ahead.
    Bracknell away on Saturday week will be massive.

    Oxfordshire Cup game at home next weekend – Chinnor v Grove.

  • Comedy Teechers At Thame Players Theatre

    THE first production being performed at The Players Theatre in Nelson Street, Thame in the new year is John Godber?s best known comedy, Teechers. The play sees the return of the Abungdon Touring Theatre Company which are a growing professional company fast gaining an enviable reputation for quality work.
    The play is fast moving, inventive and highly entertaining. It vigorously evokes life at a modern comprehensive, using the format of an end of term play to sketch a drama teacher?s progress through two terms of recalcitrant classes, cynical colleagues and obstructive caretakers, until he departs for the safe waters of a private school. The play runs the gamut of emotions, climaxing in the final scene which gives a poignant edge to the comedy. Time Out said of the comedy that the style is loud, cheerful, butch and pointedly political. It contains adult themes and language.

    Teechers is being performed at 7.30pm on Friday 18th January. Tickets cost just

  • Find a home for your unwanted items on ThameNews.Net

    NEW YEAR is a good time to have a sort out and find room for all your new Christmas presents. Instead of cluttering up the gagage or loft, or making a trip to the dump, why not take advantage of ThameNews.Net’s new ‘Swap Shop’ page?
    For no cost you may list your unwanted items on the website, and you never know, you mind find something there that you need.
    Contact: Editor@thame.net, or call 07792487030 with details of items to be placed on the Thame Swap Shop page.

  • Town Council Blame Businesses For Increase In Budget

    THAME Town Council is blaming local businesses for an increase in their budget, which could mean an increase of 3.18% on the community charge next year.
    The accusation came last night (08/01) as councillors discussed the amount of its Precept (the money it is given from funds collected through the Community Charge to run its services in the town) that it would be asking the district council for, for the next financial year.
    The council is claiming that Thame and District Chamber of Commerce (now Thame First), said that local businesses had agreed to pay towards the running costs of CCTV in the town centre, and now the council are accusing them of failing to come up with the money.

    In a statement published on its website today the town council says: “Thame Town Council is working very hard to keep down local residents? contribution towards the cost of services in the town.
    “There would not have been any increase in the Town Council?s share of the Council Tax for 2008-2009 if the cost of running the CCTV cameras in the town centre had been paid for by local businesses, as had been agreed with the Chamber of Commerce. Efforts are being made to recover some of the

  • Elderly In Thame Targeted By Distraction Burglars (Status: Press Release)

    THAME Police are appealing for information and urging the public to be vigilant after a distraction burglary in Thame.
    On Saturday (5/1) at about 5.15pm two men, claiming to be from the water board, went to a property in Rooks Lane. They said that they needed to get in and turn off the water because a neighbour was having problems with their water.

    One man stayed with the occupier, a woman, while the other man went into the house. The man who was with the woman asked her if she had for a

  • Hero Neighbour Saves Elderly Man From Fire

    AN elderly man from Chinnor was dragged from a burning kitchen yesterday by a neighbour, who almost certainly saved the life.
    Fire crews from Thame and Slade stations were called to a reported house fire in Musgrave Road, Chinnor at 6.30pm last night (Monday 07/01). A statement from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Information was received that there was an elderly person in the property. On arrival fire crews were informed that the occupant had been rescued already by a neighbour who directed the fire fighters to the kitchen. The fire was quickly put out by crews in breathing apparatus, who were able to ensure the fire did not spread to the rest of the property. The fire was caused by an open chip pan on a gas hob which had caught fire spreading to kitchen units and into the roof.
    “An elderly gentleman who was rescued by a neighbour was treated on scene for burns to his hands and smoke inhalation and subsequently taken to hospital by ambulance.
    “The neighbour was alerted by a fire alarm system that alerts neighbours and a central call station. The quick actions of this neighbour who entered the house and was able to drag his friend to safety, undoubtedly saved this persons life. He also managed to close the doors to the kitchen which also slowed down the fire spread throughout the house.

    “This fire highlights the dangers of open chip pans and the damage that occurs when they catch fire. Chip pans burn at over 360 degrees centigrade and can spread rapidly to overhead kitchen units. The burns the occupant received were caused by attempting to move the chip pan to a sink. Chip pan fires are one of the more dangerous fires one can have in a kitchen, the best course of action is to turn off the gas, cover the pan with a fire blanket if it is safe to do so and then get out, closing doors behind you and call the Fire Service.
    “Ultimately we do not recommend the use of open chip pans and would recommend the use of purpose designed deep fat fryers or even go for the healthier option of oven chips!”

    Watch Manager, Andy Ford from Thame Fire Station said:”This goes to show the benefits of a working smoke alarm which could well have saved this mans life and is an essential part of every home”.

    More Safety information can be obtained by contacting Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Community Safety department, or via Oxfordshire County Council web site.

    Photo: The burned remains of a kitchen destroyed by fire in Chinnor last night.

  • Police Appeal Following M40 Fatal Accident (Status: Press Release)

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the southbound carriageway of the M40 motorway, between junctions 9 ? 8a on Saturday night(4/1).
    At around 9.14pm, a Peugeot 106, a Vauxhall Corsa, a Peugeot 307, a Volkswagen Polo, a Ford Fiesta and a Suzuki SX4 were involved in a collision and one man died.

    The motorway was closed for almost six hours to allow collision investigators to examine the scene and re-opened at 3am.

    Police are appealing for anyone who saw any stationary vehicles or who may have driven past the incident to contact them.

    Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is urged to contact PC Dave Mitchell of Bicester Roads Policing on 0845 8 505 505, or if you don?t want to talk to the police or give your name, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

  • Thame praised in Telegraph magazine article

    A RECENT article in the Telegraph magazine describes how a family visit to Thame inspired that family to actually up-sticks and move to the area.
    Read the full article (Scroll down to “The City Escapees” story. LINK

  • Thame United take three points at Wokingham (Submitted)

    WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK 1, THAME UNITED 2; Saturday, Janury 5, 2008, Match report:
    THAME United were fortunate to come away from Wokingham with three points in a display that was far from their best and would have left their hosts wondering what they had to do to win a game.

    United struggled from the start with their usual passing game hindered by the damp conditions underfoot, and with the Wokingham midfield and attack showing greater mobility in the final third of the pitch. Nevertheless, Thame caused the home defence problems with their pace out wide and forced a succession of corners in the first quarter of an hour. None of these resulted in a clear cut chance, and it was Paul Searl in the Thame goal who had to be alert on a number of occasions in the opening half to thwart the lively Wokingham strikers.

    Just as it looked as though the game would go in to half time scoreless, an Adam Rhodes cross was met by the head of captain Dave Hocking who from a difficult angle beat the keeper. Although the ball was heading in to the goal, an attempted headed goal line clearance by the retreating defender only helped the ball over the line.

    The second half opened in similar fashion to the first half, with Wokingham pushing forward and Thame seemingly content to hit their opponents on the break. Whilst Wokingham created a number of shooting opportunities, Searl was never really tested until the 79th minute when following a neat passing move from just inside their own half, the ball fell to substitute Shaun Watson, who confidently finished from eight yards.

    The equaliser stirred Thame back in to the life and for the remainder of the match they enjoyed their best period of the game. The winning goal arrived five minutes from time when following their best passing move of the game, Ben Connelly played the ball through to Adam Rhodes who turned his marker just inside the penalty area and gave the keeper no chance from an acute angle. There was still time for Thame to create another opening as Nick Skiller raced on to through ball from Matt Higgs in the last minute only for a defender to block his goal bound shot. However, Thame were relieved when the referee blew the final whistle, and the win sees them consolidate their position in the top half of the table.

    Thame United: Searl, Thompson, Watkins (Graves), Ansell (Higgs), Hocking, Catlin, Connelly, Rhodes, Skiller, Miah (West), Ricketts.

    Thame United are without a game until Tuesday 22nd January when the face Henley Town away, with the next home fixture against Finchampstead on 26th January (3:00pm kick off at Hithercroft, Wallingford).

    Thame United Reserves produced one of their most impressive performances of the season as the continued their push for promotion with an 8-1 demolition of Aylesbury United Reserves. Leading goalscorer, Matt Leach, scored a hat-trick to take his tally to 10 goals in 7 games, with the other goals coming from Tom Hoskin (2), Richard Jewell, Alex Jewell and Olly Gascoyne.

  • January News Letter from garden designer, Jane Follis

    A VERY Happy New Year to you all. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and well-earned break? December was pretty chaotic here. A new shower and basin were being fitted in the bathroom at the same time as
    the office was being underpinned. This involved having to move a fair amount of the contents of my office into my little cottage and the contents of the bathroom into my bedroom. Not great planning!!
    Thankfully, both were completed just before Christmas but it took me until New Year?s day to finally sort out the office ready for 2008.

    Sadly, my plans of a break in Florence were scuppered at the last moment. It seems any idea of travel in 2007 was fated. I woke up on 16th with the beginnings of a really nasty virus. I took to my bed for four
    days and made a remarkable recovery, only to come down with it again for New Year – a quiet non-event under the circumstances. Christmas itself was good.

    Now it is back to reality and I start the year with some very interesting projects, some still on the drawing board, others underway and some nearing completion. We are forecast some fairly dismal weather later this week but I often find clear days in January/February are ideal for catching up on some of the jobs overlooked in November and December. My garden is no exception. Since the massive clear up in October I have hardly had a moment to finish what I started.
    The seed catalogues are in and I am planning all
    sorts for the vegetable patch. Last year was really successful and it is now I realise just how valuable it is to keep a record of everything sown.
    I still have bare borders to plant up and provided the ground is not frozen this can be done at any time. I am still wrestling with too many ideas and not enough space. Sometimes I just have to live vicariously through all your planting schemes. I am working on a Mediterranean style garden around a swimming pool at the moment and dream of being
    able to plant my own space in this style.
    For the moment I have to concentrate on new designs? I hope to get out to take some photographs this year and look forward to catching up as many of you as possible.

    RECIPE
    Parma Ham with Warm Chestnuts, Rocket and Sage Oil
    12 Sage Leaves
    175ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    Zest of a Lemon
    30 Chestnuts
    Rocket Leaves
    12 slices Parma Ham

    Bruise the sage leaves with a rolling pin. Place in a saucepan with the oil and lemon zest. The lemon zest should be cut in wide strips. Put over a very low heat and warm for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
    If using fresh chestnuts ? make an incision on the flat side of the nut and then immerse in simmering water and cook for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the pan and peel away the skin. Place in the warm sage and lemon oil. Return to the heat and warm for about 10 minutes. Set aside.
    Toss the rocket through the chestnuts then divide among four plates.
    Lay a few slices of Parma Ham on top and serve.
    We had this over Christmas and it was deliciously light as a starter.

    SEASONAL TIPS
    If you still haven?t disposed of your Christmas tree can I encourage you to recycle it? Contact your local council to find out where they are offering this service.
    Most of the tips I mentioned in December can still be carried out this month. Leaf drop was late this year, so you might still need to continue to sweep them up. Remember to bag them up for leaf mould ? see
    November?s Newsletter.
    Don?t forget the birds at this time of year. Children might like to make their own titbits? We used to, and I still do; use pine cones coated in lard and then rolled in birdseed. A messy job, but the children enjoy making them and the birds love them. Just tie the cones on to a bit of string and hang up.
    Remember, milk and bread is not good for hedgehogs ? dog food is a much better option. If you want to encourage hedgehogs, why not buy them a little house ?available from www.mrmcgregors.com (07778
    529421)

    Continue to clean and maintain garden tools. I also make time to wash all my pots and containers ready for planting up seeds later this month.
    As you know, my preferred seed catalogue is Marshalls (www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk) or www.seedsofitaly.com. Both offer a really good range. I have just ordered garlic from Marshalls and if I pot it up and place it on a windowsill, I should be eating fresh garlic by mid summer.
    Hardwood cuttings can be taken from woody plants, such as Cornus and Weigela.

    VEGETABLE & FRUIT GARDEN
    Sow broad bean, leek, brassicas and onion seeds under glass. Marshalls sell onion sets and I can thoroughly recommend ?Red Baron?. 100 onions cost about