Author: Sonja Francis

IT was a case of tears or cheers for Thame’s Lord Williams’s school GCSE students this morning, following the opening of those dreaded – or maybe longed for – brown envelopes.
The majority of candidates hugged each other, or screamed excitedly into mobile phones to anxious parents, reflecting what Headteacher, David Wybron called ‘pleasing results’ for the school. One or two prefered to open their envelopes quietly and privately away from the crowd that gathered outside the school hall.

For those who like that sort of thing, the official figures show that 64% of students achieved five or more GCSE passes at A*-C, 2% down on last year. Among individual successes, ten students, Florence Batten-Turner, Jade Bestley, Alice Carstairs, Maisie Faulkner, Jonathan Goggs, Charlotte Harris, Hisham Sherif, Rebecca Johnston, Edward Smith and Rachael Weait all got at least nine passes as A* or A grades. (This is down on last year when 21 students were awarded comparative levels).

David Wybron told ThameNews.Net:”The slight drop compared to last year was not totally unsurprising, considering the make-up of the co-hort. The majority of students will be very pleased with their achievements. They have worked hard and deserve much praise. I congratulate them and also thank staff on behalf of students, for all their hard work.”

Whilst, understandably, attention at this time is focused on the educational ‘high-flyers,’ among the less gifted, there were individual celebrations. One particular lad went up to the Headteacher, really excited and proud of his three passes at C grade. For this particular young man, explained Mr Wybron, his was a great, individual achievement – the result of supportive teachers and a lot of hard work on the part of the student himself.

MORE than 100 friends and supporters of Thame and District Day Centre enjoyed a garden party at Thame Community Hospital at the weekend, especially the music of Chinnor Silver Band which entertained guests throughout the afternoon.
The summery setting, with its freshly-cut lawn and the band?s marquee, did not escape this year?s prevailing rain but visitors were able to listen to the music from the hospital?s comfortable day room where they were plied with home-made cakes and other refreshments by a team of Day Centre volunteers.

The centre?s volunteer drivers also provided transport for all members who needed it.

Photo: Chinnor Silver Band, taken on a sunnier occassion, last year at Sydenham Fayre.

Manager, Gill Coleman, commented:”I think everyone enjoyed themselves and the volunteers and trustees made the day go well.” Gill thanked the hospital for making the venue available for Saturday?s party.
She added that through donations, a raffle, tombola and gift stalls, the Centre had covered the day?s costs with

THAME’s Citizens Advice Bureau is now opening half an hour earlier in the morning, to make it easier for people with an urgent problem or a tight schedule to get in contact with its advisors.
The Bureau’s new opening hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9.30am ? 4pm.
Further improvements to the local service include a new web site link
at: www.oxnet.org.uk/club_homepage.asp?clubid=17928

To help maintain and enhance the high level of services currently offered, the ‘Bureau is appealing at the moment for volunteer advisers to join its next training intake in October. The Bureau would welcome anyone who wants to put something back into the community. No previous experience of advice work is required but it does ask that people have basic computer skills.
Bureau Manager, Tom Fox, said: “It is interesting and rewarding work and our existing team are great people to spend time with. See Link

NB Thame CAB are holding an Auction of Promises on October 6, at Thame Barns Centre. Call: 01844 281579 or 01844 261830, for more information.

THAME Charities and other local groups can book a table now, for the annual Thame Charities Fair, to be held this year on November 3, from 10am.
Tables are FREE and groups can keep all of their proceeds. They are advised by the Thame Community Network’s organiser, Beatrice Dobie, to book tables before mid-September via the town hall, with their Charity number and a contact name and telephone number.

THAME Town Council will be holding its 2007 Christmas tea party on Friday, December 7, at the town hall, between 2 – 4pm.
The party is open to all senior citizens who live in Thame and Morton, and those who wish to attend need to register their name and a contact telephone number with the staff at the town hall, by Friday, September 21.
The list will close when it reaches 100 definites, with a reserve list of 10, who nearly always get in.

FAMILIES and individuals from the Thame area are being invited to spend a weekend in the town’s French twin town, near Paris.
Thame’s five-year old connection with the town of Montesson is thriving and this year’s annual September visit by coach will include a visit to the beautiful and historic Chateau d’Anet, which was used as a film location in the 1965 James Bond film, Thunderball.
There are still some spaces left on the coach which leaves Thame early on Friday morning, September 14, and returns to Thame in the evening of Sunday, September 16.
Contact a member of the Twinning committee, via the website
for more information.

Photo: Chateau d’Anet, on the Seine, which is on the itinerary for this year’s twiining visit to Montesson.