Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Bonfire Night Safety Warning (Status: Press Release)

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with the Government to spread the message about fireworks safety for the coming festive season, in particular Bonfire Night.
    The Fire and Rescue Service has distributed a series of hard-hitting Government posters to all the community, youth and parish centres in the county in order to increase public awareness. The poster image demonstrates the realities of playing around with fireworks and the damage which a misused firework can cause.

    Risk Reduction Officer, Julian Green, said ?Many people still end up being hurt and sometimes scarred for life, Bonfire night is supposed to be an enjoyable time. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service encourage local residents to attend organised displays and for everyone to take care when handling fireworks.
    “We would urge all local residents to enjoy Bonfire Night and encourage everyone to keep in mind the following fireworks safety code.”

    What does the fireworks safety code say?
    ? Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.
    ? Don?t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
    ? Keep fireworks in a closed box.
    ? Follow the instructions on each firework.
    ? Light at arm’s length, using a taper.
    ? Stand well back.
    ? Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn?t gone off, it could still explode.
    ? Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
    ? Always supervise children around fireworks.
    ? Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
    ? Never give sparklers to a child under five.
    ? Keep pets indoors.

    For more information about bonfire night or any other fire safety information, please contact Community Fire Safety on 08000325999 or visit www.365alive.co.uk

    PHOTO: Fire safety poster designed by teenager,
    Jess Brayne from Wheatley.

  • Oxfordshire Mind News & Events

    TALK by award-winning author Blake Morrison. Tuesday, 13th November 2007, 5.30 p.m. – 6.30 p.m., at Taylor Institution, St Giles, Oxford. Admission

  • Thame Gets Ready For Christmas

    PLANS are underway for this year’s Christmas celebrations in Thame, which will include the return of ‘Elvis Smelvis’ who battled on so manfully in the rain, two years ago.
    The draft plan for the event, which will include the turning on of the Christmas lights, also includes Panto guests from Peter Pan, Community singing with the Thame Concert Band and a Childrens’ choir made up from all three Thame primary schools, also accompanied by the band.
    Our friends from Montesson will be returning for the third year, to sell French wine and other produce, and of course, to provide wonderful French crepes to help keep out the winter chill.
    The main event this year will be on Friday, November 30, and begin around 6pm.
    The stalls however, which will include a Hog Roast and Fair Rides, will be open for business from around 2pm.
    The Christmas Blessing this year will be given by Revd Ian Mountford.

  • Third Time Lucky For Thame Cattle Market?

    A PLAN for the relocation of Thame cattle market and development of a new single storey cattle market, car parking, new access and ancillary activities at Thame Show Ground, has been lodged for the third time with the local planning authority.
    A similar plan has been rejected twice before, following concerns by Thame Town Councillors about increased danger to Lea Park residents trying to pull out on to the by-pass, and drainage concerns.
    As soon as a Planning Officer has been allocated to the case by South Oxfordshire District Council, a consultation process will begin between the Applicant, Developer, Bob Williams and the local authority.
    Thame Cattlemarket’s move from it present site in North Street, Thame, is supported by the current market operators, Thame Farmers Mart Ltd, who say they are increasingly unable to expand and cope with new bio-safety rules at the current site. The move is also supported by the operators of the annual Oxfordshire and Thame Show, who say that one or two wet years could see the end of the Thame Show, which is struggling to survive and needs permanent facilities that it can offer to others users throughout the rest of the year, to continue to be financially viable.
    The last time a similar plan went before SODC’s Planning committee, the vote was tied and the Chairman Pearl Slatter?s casting vote, supporting the officer recommendation for refusal, won the day.

  • Chinnor RFC Go To The Top Of The League

    CHINNOR 1st XV 29 vs. Bracknell 1st XV 23
    Saturday, 27th October 2007, SW Division One
    A great performance by the 1st XV on Saturday, takes Chinnor RFC to the top of the league – Match report to follow.

    Photo: Chinnor winger, Jaike Carter, runs in a try

    Chinnor’s next match will be against Cleve, Away, on November 3, kick off 2.30pm.

  • Thame United’s Ten Man Battle At Milton

    Thame United 1, Milton United 2; 27/10/07 SBJ Cup

    THAME faced Hellenic Premier Division club, Milton United, in the first round of the league cup last Saturday, losing 2-1. Thame met Milton three times last season with Milton winning all of those encounters by the same 2-1 score line.
    The turning point of this entertaining match came after 15 minutes when Thame were reduced to 10 men. At the time they were winning 1-0 and looked as if they could win the match, but from there on Milton?s one man advantage showed and they narrowly won.
    Thame?s goal came in the second minute when an Adam Rhodes free kick eluded the visiting defence and the ball bounced, before Nathan Jack headed it in from close range. A few minutes later Jack was unlucky to see a strong goal bound shot from the right turned away for a corner.
    Then came the sending off. A long clearance was met by Thame defender Dave Hocking. The normally dependable Hocking mistimed his ?trap? and the ball fell to Milton striker, Jemel Johnson who was through on goal, but as he closed the distance he was pushed over by Thame?s Matt Higgs. The referee strictly applied the law by awarding a penalty and then dismissed Higgs. Milton?s Vince Rusher buried the penalty, giving Searl no chance.
    Milton increased their lead in the 37th minute when a long cross from the right found Rusher in a space. The impressive striker controlled the ball well and fired home from eight yards.
    Not surprisingly the visitors had slightly more second half possession. Thame goalkeeper, Paul Searl, made a fine save when, following a corner, he tipped a goal-bound header over the bar.
    Thame were dangerous on the break and the Milton keeper did well to stop shots from both Jack and Adam Rhodes.
    On 70 minutes Rusher was unfortunate not to get his hat trick when a strong shot hit the bar with Searl beaten. Thame forced 2 successive corners in Injury time, but Milton held out to progress to the next round.

    Thame United: Searl, Thompson (Graves), Ansell, Higgs, Hocking, Boult, Connelly, Rhodes, Marshall (Swafford), Jack (Catlin), Ricketts.

    Thame are away to Marlow United next Saturday (3rd Nov) whilst the reserves face Penn and Tylers Green reserves at Lord Williams School.

  • Special Guests For School Amnesty Group

    BENNY Wenda and Richard Samuelson from the “Free West Papua” organisation are coming to speak to Lord Williams’s school’s Amnesty Group, at 7 pm on Monday, November12.
    The event will be held in the Foundation Centre at Upper School, Oxford Road, Thame. All members of the local community are welcome to join the group – contact Daniel Cuell at the school, on 01844 210510 for more information.
    Benny Wenda is a Tribal Chief From Papua New Guinea.

  • Return Of ThameNews.Net’s Monthly Gardening News Letter From Jane Follis

    I THINK we can formally say it is now Autumn. The leaves are falling and the nights drawing in. How depressing it was yesterday to see it dark by 5.30 ? it?s all downhill now until next March!! This time of year is great for gardening though and there is still plenty to do, not least raking up leaves.
    Don?t take them to the tip. If you have space, gather them up and bag them in black plastic bags, compact well and tie the tops. Pierce a few holes in them. Store in a cool place and you will have wonderful leaf mould by this time next year. Alternatively buy biodegradable bags from www.netherwalloptrading.com called ?Love ?em and Leave ?em?.

    The bulb order is due to arrive this week and once I have sorted them I will arrange for delivery and planting over the next couple of weeks.

    We are really busy at the moment putting a lot of gardens to bed and taking advantage of the mild weather to split perennials and increase stock. We also have a lot of planting to do and again this is a great time of year to plant new shrubs and trees, particularly as they are available as bare roots between now and next March.

    I have lots of design work to do with some very exciting projects and plenty of new enquiries coming in. This is going to keep me very busy over the winter months, although I am hoping to have a short break in November in lieu of my aborted holiday.

    Friday sees Jeremy and I in our glad rags and off to London. Jeremy entered one of our gardens for a Bali award and out of 300 entrants we are down to the last five and guaranteed an award. We?ll let you know how we get on. The London Hilton will be a far cry from wet and windy sites and it will be great to meet up with other designers and contractors.

    RECIPE
    Roasted Squash with Roasted Tomatoes and Feta Cheese
    2 small squash Extra Virgin Oil
    1 Red Chilli Marjoram
    Cherry tomatoes Red Onions
    Feta Seasoning
    Preheat the oven to 180 or Gas 4. Cut the squash into
    quarters and scrape out the seeds. Lay them, flesh side
    up and drizzle with the oil. Season with salt and roast
    in the oven for about 35 minutes until they look slightly
    caramelised around the edges.
    Peel and slice onions and spread out on a baking tray.
    Sprinkle with sugar, some balsamic vinegar and olive oil
    and mix together before roasting for about 30 minutes,
    turning occasionally.
    Half way through the cooking, place the tomatoes on
    another baking tray, drizzle with oil and season. Roast
    for about 15 minutes. Allow both to cool.
    Crumble the feta cheese. Pile the roasted squash and
    tomatoes on to individual plates and scatter over the
    roasted red onions. Arrange the Feta over the top and
    spoon over a little more olive oil.
    This is lovely as a starter or main meal with some
    crunchy bread, such as Ciabatta.

    SEASONAL TIPS
    Plant bulbs. Remember to plant two and a half times
    the size of the bulb when digging the hole. I think the best way to achieve a naturalised look is to throw the bulbs on to the ground and plant them where they land. This avoids uniform rows. You can continue to cut down perennials and if they are very large split them into new plants (see October). If you have the space it is a good idea to heel them in whilst you decide where you are going to put them. My
    vegetable patch is full of all sorts of goodies waiting to be re-planted. Do remember to give them a name tag as they will be unrecognisable as we head into winter.
    Remember not to cut down grasses. They can be trimmed if they are slightly out of control, but many of them just need thinning out. Just run your hands through them to take out the thatch and they will rejuvenate next year quite happily. I like to leave the seed heads on as they look quite majestic with frost and spider?s webs during the winter months.
    Lift and store dahlias and cannas. Although we have
    already experienced a few frosts I don?t think any have been too damaging. Keep an eye on the forecasts and if we are threatened with minus anything it might be wise to fleece the most delicate of specimens,
    particularly Phormiums and Agapanthus if they have
    been planted this year. More established ones should be ok, but if in doubt give me a ring and I will advise.
    Spike and aerate the lawn and work in a topdressing
    by brushing it into the holes formed by aerating. This
    is a really tedious task, but benefits the lawn immensely.
    Plant roses, shrubs and trees. If you order bare root
    check when they first arrive and if they look in the least bit dry, water for several hours before planting.
    If you have new borders to plant, or indeed the vegetable patch, now is a good time to dig over thoroughly and add good farmyard manure, rotted garden compost or other bulky organic matter. This will help break down the soil ready for planting in the spring.
    Check stakes and tree ties before the winter weather sets in.

    VEGETABLES AND FRUIT GARDEN
    Keep watering if we get dry spells.
    Lift and store root vegetables. Many can remain in
    the ground but species such as potato, celeriac and
    beetroot will suffer in the frosts.
    Sow broad beans (Super Aquadulce is particularly
    frost resistant) and lettuces.
    Clear away the debris of summer crops, such as
    Runner Beans and Tomatoes and store the supports.
    Start winter digging (see above). The frosts will also help to break down the soil over the winter.
    Fruit canes can all be planted out, as can garlic.
    Winter prune apples and pears and prune grapes after the leaves have fallen. Apply grease bands to protect against winter moth. Spray peaches and nectarines against peach leaf curl.
    Lift and divide Rhubarb crowns.

    GREENHOUSE
    Fix bubble wrap inside glass houses for insulation
    and check your heaters are working. Reduce watering
    and feeding.
    Remember to remove dead and dying material on any
    plants to avoid botrytis (grey mould).
    If you have any green tomatoes left on plants they
    are unlikely to ripen now. Take them off the plant and
    bring indoors by placing them with some already ripe
    tomatoes or even a banana. I used my last three at the
    weekend!
    Sow lettuces ready for harvesting in March.
    If you haven?t already done so, clean out the gutters and keep the glass clean to let in as much light as possible.

    NOTE:
    It is very difficult for me to cover everything that is happening in the garden. For more information on
    specific jobs go to:
    www.rhs.org.uk/advice/calandar.asp

    PLACES TO VISIT:
    RHS WISLEY
    The new glasshouse is now open and is the size of ten tennis courts.
    This month has a display of Chrysanthemums 6th
    November ? 11th December

    Christmas Shopping Evenings 6-9pm, 20th? 24th November
    Christmas Craft Fair 9.00am ? 9.00pm Tuesday
    9.00am ? 5.00pm Wednesday ? Friday and
    9.00am ? 4.30pm ?Saturday

    27th November – Flower arranging ? the Magic of Christmas, 10.15 ? 12.15 then lunch and a guided walk at1.00pm.
    Members

  • Thame Cricket Correspondent Dies

    FROM this morning’s Daily Telegraph: Obituary regarding ex-Lord Williams’s teacher.
    “Gerald Howat, the former Daily Telegraph schools cricket correspondent, has died at the age of 80. After teaching at Radley College and Lord Williams’ Thame, he became a university lecturer and visiting professor in the United States, while leaving time to write about cricket, his great love.

    He wrote biographies on Plum Warner, Walter Hammond, Len Hutton and Learie Constantine, and contributed to newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph from 1999, and magazines.

    As a player, Howat became a legend at North Moreton in Oxfordshire, where he kept wicket into his seventies.”

  • Thame Councillor Praises Brave PCSO

    A THAME Town Councillor has praised the actions of a Police Community Support Officer who kept two rival gangs apart singled handed, until police reinforcements could arrive.
    Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods praised the actions of PCSO Diane Jackson, who was on duty with her colleague, PCSO Dan Tucker, on Friday, September 14th, at Thame Fair when, what a police spokesperson described as: “A very nasty situation” kicked off between two gangs of youths.

    PSCO Jackson, who is only around 5’3″ tall, managed to keep the two groups apart until extra police resources, including a helicopter, arrived on the scene.
    Speaking today, she said: “Although the situation did become somewhat tense, both Dan and I were able to use our local knowledge of some of these young people, to diffuse the situation until further resources arrived and, apart from a bit of pushing and showing, there was no physical violence at that time. However, the atmosphere did remain tense for some time.”

    Cllr Champken-Woods was speaking at a meeting of the town council’s Culture, Leisure and Recreation Committee on Tuesday, October 23, during an agenda item Report on the two annual Thame fairs, in September and October.
    He said that, although PCSO Jackson had done a fantastic job, it appeared that policing on the Friday night in September, was “inadequate” and that in his opinion, “the police had failed in their duty,” to provide an adequate police presence on a night well-known for fights.

    Although the report was generally favourable, and included a statement from a former objector to the fair, that there had been: “A vast improvement in regard to the effect of fumes and noise this year,” Councillors expressed concerns about a complaint from a mother of young children that there had been “inappropriate language at the wrong time of the day” on the part of the showmen, and that some rides had been resting on kerbs which it feared could cause structural damage to the stones.

    Cllr Nicola Dixon, a mother of a young child, said that as far as she was concerned, she had not seen any trouble at the fair and that other families she knew had all had a great time with their children at the fair.

    The Town Clerk reported that there was to be a de-briefing about the fair between the police and the town council, sometime in November, and that all the issues would be discussed.
    A public consultation is to be carried out in early 2008 to gauge public opinion about the Thame fairs, and a full resource appraisal will be included during a rent review to be carried out by the town council, in February 2008.

    Photo: PCSO Diane Jackson, based at Thame Police station.