Thame news is back: What’s been happening?

JHS tag rugby team 2014

YES, ThameNews is back after a couple of week’s in sunny, Southern Spain, but news has still been happening, so here’s an ‘in-brief’ review of local news from the past two weeks.

JOHN Hampden Primary School, Thame’s Tag rugby team is through to the TAG2 Twickenham Regionals after bringing The Chairman’s County Cup back to Thame.

The Tag Rugby Tournament, which claims to be the former holder of the World Record for the largest Tag Rugby Competition held on one day, saw yet another great turnout. John Hampden reached the semi-finals without losing a single game. In what was an exciting semi-final, the team fought their way back from 3-1 down to win 5 – 4. The game was fast flowing, demonstrating great rugby skills and exceptional team work. They then went on to win the final 6-4.

Team Captain Bridget said: “It was a fabulous experience for all of us and we really enjoyed it. It was amazing rugby by everyone. We tried especially hard this year and definitely deserved it.” John Hampden will now represent the county at the regionals to be held at The Rugby School in July.

THE Governing Body of John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools’ Federation are looking to fill two vacancies that have recently arisen for two Community Governors – one for Thame and one for Tetsworth.

Community Governors play a vital role as links between the schools and their local communities. If you would like to know more or you believe that you have specific skills to offer the Board of Governors, please contact the Chair of Governors, Mary Stiles, on 01844 213851 or 07779654840 or email maryandstella@aol.com

A NEW public consultation the revised numbers, upwards, and destribution of new houses in the district, which would affect Thame, has been launched by SODC. Full details of  the consultation, ‘Local Plan 2031 Issues and Scope’ can be found at: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/local-plan- 2031-issues-and-scope

ARE you part of a community-based organisation with a project in mind for a good spruce-up? Has world cup fever highlighted the need to improve your community sports pitches?  Or perhaps your village hall could do with a new kitchen to help cater for community events? South Oxfordshire District Council, is running a grant scheme that might be the one for you. Their Communities Capital Grant scheme is currently open and closes on June 25,  so if you get a move on you could still get an application in. More information:http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/grants-and-community-loans

AS part of National Care Home Open Day, Meadowcroft, Thame’s residential Care Home for the elderly, will be open to visitors on Friday, June 20, for both a Coffee Morning  9.30-12.00, and Afternoon Tea 1.30-4pm. The Address is 78 Queens Road, Thame, OX9 3NQ.  Meadowcroft’s Summer Fete this year, will be on Saturday August 2, 2pm- 4pm. Stalls will include tombola, raffle, cakes, teas, bricabrac and gifts.

EVER thought about volunteering? If you have any spare time, why not become part of a team at the Cancer Research UK shop in Thame? Make new friends, learn new skills
and help to beat Cancer.

If this sounds like something you would like to do why not get in touch, please contact the Maria the Manager on 01844 261531 or pop in for a chat, they’re a friendly bunch! The shop is at 60 North Street, opposite the Library.

KAREN Collett, Headteacher at Haddenham St Mary’s Church of England School in Buckinghamshire, is committed to finding a healthy solution to the government initiative
stipulating the return of free school meals from September.

Karen believes that the seemingly commendable legislation has: “….failed to take into account obstructions set to limit implementation, for example the fact that the majority of schools stripped out their kitchens when they were no longer required to provide on site catering for pupils.”

She was frustrated by the solution presented to her – airplane style meals delivered to the school. “The purpose of reinstating free school meals is to tackle obesity and
ensure pupils have a balanced meal that educates them about nutrition,” she said. “Mass produced foods packaged up in plastic trays are not the best way to achieve this
objective. Nor are they likely to be the cheapest given that suppliers will want a profit margin from the £2.30 allocated per child.”

Karen is passionate about finding a workable alternative and is hosting a Food Conference at her school, on June 27, 9.30am-3pm, to explore options with a team of experts including Raymond Blanc, nutritionist Amanda Ursell, Chair of the National Obesity Forum Tam Fry, Juliane Noble from the Jamie Oliver Foundation and Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins.

HOLIDAY activity fun all summer long – If your children are looking for new and exciting things to do this summer then why not check out the South and Vale Summer Holiday Progamme. You can see details on the website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-06/holiday-activity-fun-all-summer-long

THAME’S District Councillor, Ann Midwinter, has been appointed as the new Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council. Mrs Midwinter replaces Cllr Dorothy Brown, with whom she was Vice Chair last year. Cllr Midwinter’s chosen charities for the year of her office are SeeSaw and the Royal British Legion. Thame’s District Cllr David Dodds, will have the port folios for Finance, Waste and Parks.

BOTH local district councils are getting tough on fly-tipping and several prosecutions and fines have been issued in the last few months. To find out more about fly tipping and how to report it, visit the website: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2014/2014-06/clean-living-south-oxfordshire-and-vale-white-horse

FIND out more about your waste during Recycle Week 2014. There is a packed diary of environmentally friendly events planned to celebrate Recycle Week in Oxfordshire from June 14 to 22. The week is the annual national celebration of all the work that is done to get the most out of waste and help residents to maximise the amount that is
recycled.

Highlights from the list of events include the chance to meet with “master composters” and get more out of your green and kitchen waste on 21 and 22 June. The Master
Composters programme aims to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill, by encouraging more people to start composting at home and supporting
those already doing so.

On 17 June, there is an opportunity to see behind the scenes at the anaerobic digestion plant at Wallingford. This fascinating facility processes over 50,000 tonnes of solid
and liquid wastes a year, generating 2.4MW of electricity and producing an excellent biofertiliser.

Events
Saturday 14 June
Recycling Roadshow at Berinsfield Fete
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

Monday 16 June
Recycling Roadshow, Westgate Centre, Oxford
Time: 10am-4pm
Organised by Oxford City

Monday 16 June
Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney
Time: 10am-3pm
Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council

Tuesday 17 June
Anaerobic digestion plant tour Crowmarsh
Time: 9.45am – 10.45am
Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

Tuesday 17 June
Recycling Roadshow at Abingdon Tesco
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

Wednesday 18 June
Recycling Roadshow at Didcot Tesco
Time: 9am – 12pm
Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

Wednesday 18 June
Recycling Talk at WI Meeting Stanford in the Vale
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Organised by South Oxfordshire District Council

Thursday 19 June
Composting In Vessel and Anaerobic Digestion facilities Tours at Ardley – to book a place email recycling@oxford.gov.uk<mailto:recycling@oxford.gov.uk>
Orgainsed by Oxford City Council

Friday 20 June
Recycling Roadshow, Town Centre Shop, Witney
Time: 10am-3pm
Organised by West Oxfordshire District Council

Friday 20 June
Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford.
Time: 11am-5pm
Organised by Community Action Groups

Saturday 21 June
Broken Spoke drop-in bike fixing workshop, The Story Museum, Pembroke St, Oxford.
Time: 11am-5pm
Organised by Community Action Groups

Saturday 21 June
Swap Shop at Gladstone Road Community Ctr, Headington, Oxford.
Time: 11am-1pm
Organised by Community Action Groups

Saturday 21 June
Love Food Hate Waste demonstration of cooking with leftovers at the Tandem Festival, Hill End, Oxford.
Time: 10am-5pm
Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

Saturday 21 June
Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Fun on the Green event at Wolvercote, Oxford.
Time: 1pm-4.30pm
Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

Sunday 22 June
Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Beckley Village Open Gardens.
Time: 11am-4pm
Organised by Oxfordshire County Council

Sunday 22 June
Master Composters stall for advice on home composting at Letcombe Regis Family Day
Time: 2pm-4.30pm
Organised by Oxfordshire County Council