Thame.net

Author: Sonja Francis

  • Thame United v Kidlington

    Match Report from last Tuesday’s League game, August 15, Thame United 0, Kidlington 3. (Contributed)
    THIS was Thame United?s first ?home? game at the well-equipped Hithercroft stadium, the home of AFC Wallingford. The Thame team contained only five players from last year?s squad. Managers Alan Thorne and Richard Searl have uncovered several new talented players living within a few miles of Thame, and they now have the nucleolus of what could be a high performing team.

    Kidlington, on the other hand have had few changes and played with the understanding of each other?s play that only time can develop. The Kidlington team also featured former England International Gary Parker, whose clubs included Aston Villa and Leicester City. Although, at nearly 40, Parker was not the fastest man on the pitch, his ball distribution was superb and his influence on his colleagues apparent.

    Kidlington had the better of the opening exchanges and it was Parker who put Kidlington ahead on 26 minutes when his inswinging corner kick eluded both Thame and Kidlington players to finish nestled in the far corner of the Thame net. Kidlington increased their lead in the 35th minute when a through ball found Ben Moses unmarked. Moses did well to dribble the ball around the advancing Thame Keeper, Paul Searl, for a tap in. Although Thame had their fair share of first half possession, they created few chances.

    Whatever the Thame Managers said at half time worked, as Thame were far more dangerous in the second half with both Nik Gibson and Alex Cairns going close. Kidlington?s third came with 10 minutes to play when, following a goalmouth scramble, the ball came out to Moses who shot home confidently from 8 Yards, giving Searl no chance.

    Although this was a disappointing result, Thame can take heart from their second half performance and, given time, they could start to collect a few points.

    Thame United: Searl, Gomme (Watkin), Raga, Johnson, Kitson, Connelly, Jackson, Cairns, Davis (Cakmak), Gibson, Da Silva.

    Thame United are away to Carterton next Tuesday 22nd and away again on Saturday 26th at Fairford Town. Their next home match is on Bank Holiday Monday 28th when Ardley United visit Hithercroft Stadium (KO 3.00). For directions visit www.thameunitedfc.co.uk

  • Thame’s ‘Best Performance For Ages!’

    F.A. Cup August 19, Match Report – Wembley 3, Thame United 0. (Contributed)
    THAME United had the dubious honour to be the first team eliminated from this season?s F.A. Cup competition on Saturday.
    The game at Wembley was moved forward to Friday evening to allow for T.V. recording by both the BBC and Sky. The BBC featured match highlights in Saturday?s Football Focus programme. The F.A. Cup was on display to the 200 or so spectators before the game. It was an entertaining match played at pace – a fitting start for the competition.

    Thame went a goal down in the first minute when Wembley were awarded a free kick five yards outside the Thame penalty area. A set piece, straight from the training ground, saw Thame players fooled into thinking the ball was going right but it was reversed to Jomo Mitchell unmarked on the left. Mitchell struck a powerful shot from 15 yards and, although Thame goalkeeper Paul Searl got a hand to it, the ball finished in the back of the net.

    Thame countered and there were chances at both ends. After 15 minutes a defensive error allowed Wembley?s pacey striker Steve Augustine though on goal to finish clinically from 10 yards. Thame then had their best spell of the match. Dave Tregurtha almost scored from a corner but his header was inches wide of the post. A few minutes before half time, the impressive Nick Gibson unleashed a strong shot from the edge of the box which hit the Wembley cross bar. The ball fell to Ben Connolley but before he had it under control he was closed down and the chance was lost.

    The second half saw some entertaining end-to-end football with both sides going close. The final goal came in the 62nd minute and was a brilliant individual effort. Wembley?s Paul Shelton picked the ball up just inside the Thame half and ran at goal. He beat at least two defenders before dribbling around the advancing Searl and side-footing the ball home. A few minutes later it looked as if Wembley would increase their lead when, following a clumsy challenge by Magid Raja, they were awarded a penalty. Searl however pulled of an outstanding save from Mitchell?s spot kick. The final 15 minutes saw Thame fighting unsuccessfully for a consolation goal.

    Although this was a disappointing result, Wembley are an impressive side and the Thame performance was their best for ages.

    Thame United: Searl (capt.), Jackson, Watkin (Johnson), Raja, Tregurtha, Kitson, Cairns, Connelly, Cakmak (Miller), Gibson (Davis), Jack.

  • Vintage Vehicle Weekend

    THE Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway will be hosting a Vintage Vehicle Weekend on Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28.
    On show will be a range of Vintage Vehicles from the 1950’s onward.

    An open top double deck bus will be visiting
    throughout the weekend offering rides.

    Trains will depart Chinnor station at 10.00, 11.00, 12.15, 1.15, 2.15, 3.15 and 4.30pm.

  • Thame Company Sold For

    A THAME-BASED business has been sold to an International company in Dubai.
    Travelodge, whose headquarters are in Aylesbury Road, Thame, has been bought by a a private equity company owned by the Persian Gulf emirate’s government.
    See Link

  • Thame Gardens Are Bloomin Brilliant!

    DESPITE exceptionally dry conditions this summer, Thame’s gardening enthusiasts have, once again, managed to produce magnificent, prize-winning floral masterpieces.
    For the second year running, Bill and Margaret Sellwood’s garden in Hampden Avenue, Thame, has been judged the overall winner in the annual Thame In Bloom competition.

    The particular eye-catching feature of the Sellwoods’s garden this year, is the three boxes of bright orange, red and white blooms on the top of, and visible through, the front garden wall.

    Bill and Margaret have been spending an hour and half both morning and evening watering their plants from six water butts and a water tap when necessary. But it is obviously a labour of love for this couple whose personal lives have been overshadowed recently by the loss of their two year-old grand daughter.

    Bill, whose late father was a regular winner of Tetworth gardening competitions, retired from working with Thame Town Council in 1997 and Margaret still works part-time at Thame police station as a cleaner.

    The Sellwoods insist that they do nothing special to get such fantastic results in their garden: “We use slow-release fertilizer granules and some liquid spray fertilizer,” said Bill, who grows some of his plants from seed and others from young plant plugs ordered from ‘Gardening Direct’.

    They heard the news of their win while they were on holiday in Weymouth during a telephone call from their daughter, who admitted that she had opened their post.

    Margaret said: “It was so nice to hear some good news after what has been a very bad time for our family.”

    The other main winners of the Thame In Bloom competition, which was judged by Thame In Bloom’s Vice Chair, Tony Buggins, are as follows:-

    *Large Garden – Mr & Mrs Partner, Blake Way
    *Medium Garden – Mr & Mrs Clark, Cotmore Gardens
    *Small Garden – Mr & Mrs Sellwood, Hampden Avenue
    *Facade – Mr & Mrs Spokes, Ireton Court
    *Maisonettes &
    Flats – Pearce Way
    *Industrial
    Section – Glencore Grain UK, Bell Lane
    *Shops & Small
    businesses – House Of Spice
    *Pubs & Hotels – The Spread Eagle
    *School Gardens – St Joseph’s

    The presentation of prizes for the Thame In Bloom competition will be on August 31, at the Guide Headquarters in Southern Road, Thame, at 7pm.

  • Thame Businessman To Walk For Prudence

    A THAME businessman is to trek the Haute Route to raise money for a three year-old South African girl he is sponsoring, through World Vision World Sponsorship.
    Between August 29 and September 12, Haddenham man, David Handley, will be walking the Haute Route, a well known alpine trek from Chamonix to Zermatt ? Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn.

    David is hoping to raise money to give Prudence Leshabane, a three year old South African girl, a better life by gathering sponsors for the walk and using the World Vision Child Sponsorship scheme which helps children in need all over the world.

    David has chosen a South African child because it compliments his efforts with Ethnix, a charity that helps people living in the townships in that country; visit Link
     for more details.

    For less than the price of a bottle of mineral water a day you can help david to make a world of difference to a child on the other side of the planet.
    There are no minimum or maximum levels on the sponsorship, and David and his wife Hilary who jointly sponsors Prudence, would really appreciate any help to make that difference. Sponsor David and help give little Prudence a better life.

    Details about sponsors, the progress of the trek and information about Prudence will be posted on the Internet at Link
     or you can call 01844 291320 for more details.

  • Thame Councillors Upset Over Planning Decision

    THAME town councillors are very upset over a decision to grant planning permission in the town centre for a development of flats and houses.
    Thame’s Deputy Mayor, and Honoury Citizen of the town, David Dodds, accused South Oxfordshire District Council of “running rough-shod again” over the views of Thame residents and councillors who objected to the development.

    SODC’s Planning committee approved the erection of three houses and six flats on land to the rear of 10 High Street, Thame (Newitts’ the butchers’)on the recommendation of Planning officers. Several letters of objection had been lodged with the authority and Cllr Beatrice Dobie spoke personally on behalf of Thame Town Council at the meeting on August 2.
    Mrs V Tanfield, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

    Additional conditions, including bin stores, secure cycle parking on site and details of security gates on the footpath between the buildings, were made on the planning permission.

    For full details of the application and the conditions imposed on the applicant, visit SODC’s website.

  • Live Music At Brill Beer Festival (Contributed)

    THIS year’s Brill Beer Festival, our third, is set for the weekend of Saturday, Sunday and Monday 26-28th August.
    We have an amazing band, ‘Leatherat’, live in concert on Saturday night, with the Beer Festival bar open and food available.
    There’s a Family Fun Day set for Sunday from noon, with FREE ADMISSION and exciting attractions for all the family. There will be a barbecue going all afternoon, and the bar will be open.

    The Beer Festival bar is open again on Monday from noon – until the beer runs out!

  • Thame Councillors Upset Over Planning Decision

    THAME town councillors are very upset over a decision to grant planning permission in the town centre for a development of flats and houses.
    Thame’s Deputy Mayor, and Honoury Citizen of the town, David Dodds, accused South Oxfordshire District Council of “running rough-shod again” over the views of Thame residents and councillors who objected to the development.

    SODC’s Planning committee approved the erection of three houses and six flats on land to the rear of 10 High Street, Thame (Newitts’ the butchers’)on the recommendation of Planning officers. Several letters of objection had been lodged with the authority and Cllr Beatrice Dobie spoke personally on behalf of Thame Town Council at the meeting on August 2.
    Mrs V Tanfield, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

    Additional conditions, including bin stores, secure cycle parking on site and details of security gates on the footpath between the buildings, were made on the planning permission.

    For full details of the application and the conditions imposed on the applicant, visit SODC’s website.

  • Thame GP Speaks Out About ‘Uncertainties’

    DR KEN BURCH, of the Rycote Practice, Thame, has spoken about the uncertainty among Thame health workers, waiting to hear where cuts to save