Vote NOW to help win funds for Thame’s new sports facility

THE cricket, tennis and bowls clubs in Thame are asking for local support in a public vote for their AVIVA community fund applications. If they receive enough votes they will be entered into the national finals and judged by a panel for a chance to receive up to £25,000.

For the cricket club, a grant would go towards the cost of fitting out the first floor of their new clubhouse which will be used by community groups, charities and local people.

Matt Swain, Chair of Thame Town Cricket Club, explained: “In common with many areas of the country, recent years have seen continued cuts to services like day care and childcare. Both the Thame and District Day Centre and the Thame Red Kite Family Centre are having their funding from Oxfordshire County Council reduced significantly. They currently provide a valuable service to our community for some of the most vulnerable groups in society.

“Our new clubhouse facility will provide an opportunity for these types of local community groups and charities to continue to deliver high quality provision to the Thame community in a suitable and sustainable environment.”

The elderly, frail and isolated will benefit as well as sports clubs

The Thame & District Day Centre provides day care, support and friendship to older people living in Thame and the surrounding villages. It provides a day out with plenty of refreshments, a two-course meal and a variety of entertainment, for people from Thame and some nearby villages, who are elderly, frail, or perhaps isolated. They first opened nearly 30 years ago and currently have over 60 members and a waiting list.

Matt added: “The cricket club would like to thank club sponsor, J Bennett and Son, Insurance Brokers, who have supported our application to the AVIVA community fund.”

For the tennis and bowls clubs (also known as Thame Sports Club), a grant would go towards fitting out the main community room, plus a new ‘snug bar’, in the rebuilt clubhouse which hopefully, will be completed over winter 2018. The existing clubhouse is regularly used by community groups including an art class, U3A, a whist club, parent and baby groups and others for meetings, in addition to the use by both clubs members, including indoor bowls in the winter months.

Why the need for a re-build?

Peter Bozier, Chair of Thame Sports Club, said: “Our existing clubhouse was first build in the 1920s of a wooden construction and although full of character, is now in poor condition and needs to be rebuilt. A new clubhouse will provide enhanced facilities for our expanding community groups and the snug bar will also provide a small space for meetings. The building will also be a bit longer than the existing one, which will enable the Bowls Club to use full size indoor mats to join the local leagues during the winter months.”

How to vote

To help Thame sports clubs and community groups with a chance to win this vital funding for Thame, click on the following link to register on line with AVIVA https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/MyInitiative/GuestRegistration/CreateAccount Search for Thame and cast your votes by Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

• For more information about Thame Town Cricket Club visit
http://www.thamecricket.org.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTXED9Q6VQM

• For more information about Thame & District Day Centre visit
http://www.thameanddistrictdaycentre.co.uk/home/

• For more information about J Bennett & Son, visit
http://www.jbennett.co.uk/ or contact Mark Nicholl on 01494 450 450

• For more information about Thame Tennis Club visit
http://www.thametennisclub.co.uk/

• For more information about Thame Bowls Club visit
http://www.thamebowlsclub.co.uk/