**NEWS** Young Pop Star Competition
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CASH for achievement! South Oxfordshire District Council
is offering awards to 11 - 19 year olds who have shown dedication
in either the arts, sports or citizenship in the last 12 months.
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Live, open music nights new for Thame
The First Thursday Music Club will run, obviously, on the first Thursday of every month, at The Stables, behind The James Figg pub, in Cornmarket, Thame. See the website Don’t forget there are two other good open mic nights in the area too: · Last Thursday of every
month at the Three · First Saturday of every
month in the Wheatsheaf ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Arrests as
illegal ravers removed by police - On Sunday, 07/02/2010, approximately 40 people were moved off the site by police and the landowner and during their removal two arrests were made for possession of controlled drug and driving under influence of alcohol. Sgt Chris Hazell, based at Thame police station in Greyhound Walk, commented: "Thames Valley Police are committed to taking positive action in response to illegal music events. We would like to remind the community to contact the Police at the first sign of suspect activity. We would like to make potential organisers aware that Thames Valley Police will actively investigate such events and take positive action towards the prosecution of offenders and the seizure and loss of sound equipment, as with the Waterperry Rave last year.” -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29/01/10 THAME Youth Theatre has launched a new dance group on Tuesday evenings
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Thame & Chinnor Young Achievers get funding support
THREE Thame gymnasts, all pupils at the Thame based Oxfordshire School of Gymnastics, were presented with Young Achievers Awards at a special ceremony yesterday. As well as Emerald Baxter and Cosette Jackson (see previous reports) 16 year-old Gabrielle Jackson also received funding support from South Oxfordshire District Council. She achieved gold at three events this year and plans to progress from the National Development Plan to Junior Federation of International Gymnastics level to compete in further competitions abroad in June 2010. Chinnor young people receive
Young Achievers Award 20/01/10
- Charley Messenger, 14, from Chinnor, swims for Wycombe District swimming club. She has competed in numerous events over the past twelve months, winning medals at Wycombe, Milton Keynes and Reading. Charley's level of commitment is extensive, training six to eight times per week - getting up at 5am to train! Both Charley and Matthew, along with three Thame gymnasts, received their awards at a ceremony yesterday January 19, 2010, at the Cornerstones Centre in Didcot.
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local businesses support Thame Youth Memorial - 19/01/10
A MEMORIAL to the young people of Thame who have lost their lives prematurely, came closer to being a reality today when a cheque for £500 was given by Waitrose. The Manager of Waitrose's Thame store, Mike Sainsbury, was inspired to apply to the Waitrose Community Fund for a donation to the project, when he heard about it from one of his employees, Mark Stiles. Mark's brother Greg died in a road collision near Thame last May. Mark praised his employer's support saying: "It's great to see local retailers and businesses embracing our efforts on this project with financial support. "Waitrose are renowned for
looking after their customers and employees, many of whom are
directly affected by or involved with the Thame Youth Memorial." Another local business, The Well café in North Street, Thame, are sponsoring the Trust during February and will donate 10p for every cup of coffee sold during the month. The Trust have also now launched a Grand Draw Raffle, which they hope will touch every home and business in Thame. Prizes have been donated by local companies with a headline prize of £1000 worth of shopping vouchers presented by Sainsburys. Other prizes will include a full pamper day at Brothers Salon, listed on their web site at www.thameyouthmemorial.org. Tickets will be available through some retailers in Thame and at many other locations over the next couple of months, with the Grand Draw to be held at Thame Players Theatre on Sunday, April 11, 2010. PHOTO: Left to right, Town Cllr Mike Dyer, Mark Stiles, Mike Sainsbury, Town Cllr David Bretherton and Alison Biddle of Biddle Freight Services Ltd
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No cuts to Youth services after all ! OXFORDSHIRE County Council has announced that it will not now be carrying through with stringent cuts to the county's youth services. This policy reversal comes after complaints about the council's original plans to make savings of around £2.3 million over five years in the youth service, including a petition from members of the UNITE union which includes youth workers.
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Police warning to stay of frozen
lakes and ponds Thames Valley Police is urging people to keep off frozen lakes, ponds and rivers following numerous reports from concerned residents across the region. Since 9am this morning (9/1), police have taken at least six calls from residents reporting children and adults walking and playing on frozen lakes across the Thames Valley. Incidents have been reported in Milton Keynes, Bracknell, Oxford and Aylesbury. Acting Supt Simon Eatwell, Local Police Area Commander for Milton Keynes said: “It is really worrying that despite all the warnings people are still risking their lives walking on frozen lakes and ponds. We have even received reports of some children playing on a frozen canal. I would urge parents to make sure their children know just how dangerous playing on ice is. Only yesterday, two brothers died after falling thorough ice on a frozen lake in Leicester, we want to stop this happening to anyone else. “They may think that as long as they
can swim they are safe but the sub zero temperatures of the water
and the currents under the ice, can lead to tragedy for even the
strongest swimmers. We don’t want to stop anyone having fun
but would urge people to stay off of the ice and have fun where
it’s safe.” _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Garden of Remembrance for Thame youth Dedicated - See: http://www.thamenews.net/readmore.asp?Content_ID=5105&
Design brief for the memorial is available for download at www.thameyouthmemorial.org. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thame teacher named as fatal crash victim - See: http://www.thamenews.net/readmore.asp?Content_ID=5102& _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PS Loads of photos from Thame's Got Talent now available - see http://www.flickr.com/photos/thamenews/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advice for school and college leavers from Connexions after A levels YOUNG people who are uncertain about their future options upon receiving their A-Level and GCSE results can access a wealth of information and advice through the county council's Connexions service. Connexions Oxfordshire, part of the council's Integrated Youth Support Service, gives guidance from trained professionals to teenagers about opportunities, jobs, apprenticeships and courses. Young people in Oxfordshire, like most sections of society, have faced greater difficulty in the job market in recent months. Connexions Oxfordshire is able to offer advice to 16- 18-year-olds who want to avoid not being in education, employment or training about courses which are available locally in sixth forms, colleges and universities. FACE TO FACE SUPPORT People can access face-to-face support at various points all over Oxfordshire through Connexions Centres, Youth Centre Access Points and Connexions Outreach locations. Connexions Centres are offices located in town centres where teenagers can access information about further education, as well as support on other topics, including housing and sexual health. The centres in Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Oxford and Witney also produce job bulletins about opportunities in their areas. Access Points are areas in Young People's Centres where information is dispensed by youth workers about life skills, training, confidence-building and more. Drop-ins and job clubs for young people are provided at Connexions Outreach locations, including community centres, youth centres and other locations, depending on demand. People can also meet with a Connexions Personal Advisor who can give advice on issues which may affect younger people at school, work or in their personal or family life, as well as providing information about jobs and voluntary work. Go to www.connexionsoxfordshire.com for more information about Connexions Oxfordshire and for locations of Connexions Centres, Youth Centre Access Points and Connexions Outreach locations or email askconnexions@oxfordshire.gov.uk. Further information can be obtained in confidence from Connexions advisors over the telephone, online, by text or email between 8am and 2am everyday. Contact details are available at www.connexions-direct.com. USE CONNEXIONS FOR YOUR BENEFIT Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "There is a huge amount of advice and guidance available for young people through the Connexions service. I would urge any young person who is uncertain about their future to get in touch and discuss what options are open to them. "It is particularly important for everybody to maximise their potential in these trying economic times - Connexions is an excellent tool to find out what support and services are available." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A level results to be proud of !
THE Students and staff of Lord Williams’s School, Thame, are celebrating another outstanding set of A Level results. From a record number of 607 exam entries, 97% achieved a pass grade. An impressive 73% achieved A-C grades and 46% A-B grades. Three students, Hisham Sherif, Alice Carstairs and Tim Kew achieved five A grades. Florence Batten-Turner and Sammy Daubney achieved four A grades and the following students all achieved three A grades: Jonathan Goggs, George Millo, Luke Ounsworth, Tarik Sharif, Danny Spiteri, Charlotte Clarke, Maisie Faulkner, Tanith Jackson, Rebecca Johnston and Iman Nafi. FIRST OXFORD UNIVERSITY BURSARY AWARDED Two students, Rosie Morris and Thomas Merriman were the first to achieve the new A* grade awarded for the Extended Project Qualification. In addition, Ed Smith received the Rycote Bursary from New College Oxford, which has been introduced for the first time this year. PRAISE FROM HEADTEACHER Headteacher
David Wybron commented: "After a long and sometimes anxious
wait, students can now celebrate their excellent achievements.
Very high academic standards have been maintained by our sixth
form students. They have worked very hard and have impressed staff
with their high levels of skill and dedication. They have benefited
from excellent teaching and support in school and at home." Kate Sheehan, Head of Sixth Form said: "We are immensely proud of all our students whatever grades they achieved in their exams this year. A Levels are not easy; students should be congratulated on their fantastic achievements which are the result of two years of hard work. We are pleased that these results will enable our students to progress to their chosen field of employment or to university. They have a bright and exciting future ahead of them and we wish them all the very best whatever they decide to do." BATTLE OF THE UNIVERSITY PLACES - STUDENTS CONCERNED After the news today that there are seven students fighting for every available university place this autumn, most A level students interviewed by ThameNews.Net at Lord Williams's school today, said that they were confident in finding a place at university. However, some AS level students with one more year to go, said that they were concerned that things may be worse by next year. They seemed determined though to achieve the best results they could to improve their chances in the battle for places in 2010. PHOTO:
Simon Garbutt, Louise Gibbons, Hannah Rea, Will De val, Katie
Bennett, Claire Peacock, Ryan Chapman (apologies if any mis-spellings-
email:
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Appeal
for support for 'Free Running' in Thame
- 10/08/09 Free Running, as its know, or Parkour, the original name for this discipline with French origins, has had a bad press but Robert Fairweather and his friends, believe that it can build self-confidence, respect, fitness and creativity in young people. They have approached the town council and the local police about providing a Parkour park in Thame, where they and other young people can train and learn the skills to do Free Running safely and effectively. Rob told ThameNews.Net: "We have approached the local police about Free Running in Thame but they say that it would encourage anti-social behaviour with groups of young people hanging around, that someone not participating could get hurt and that there could be damage to property. "We understand these concerns but the idea is that people are properly taught to chose benches etc that are sturdy and to do the moves in a safe as well as an aesthetic way. Why would we want to damage our urban playground and ruin our own fun? "Proper Free Running is nothing to do with people jumping across roof spaces and getting injured as seen on TV. Its all about knowing your limits, moving in an aesthetically pleasing manner by flipping over obstacles etc, and importantly, what we do is spend a large amount of time training to prepare out bodies for the physical rigours of the activity before venturing onto the streets." Free Running already takes place all over the world, including London, Mexico and Austria as will as other places in the UK including in Leicester, Salisbury and Bristol, where the local community police officer helped to set up training facilities. Rob explained that he has been told by Thame Town Council that if he can show that there is sufficient support and they come up with a business plan, the town council would look into supporting the setting up a Parkour Park. Find out more about Free Running, by visiting LINK
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEW YOUTH SHELTER SCRAWLED WITH 'obscene graffitit' A BRAND new, state-of-the-art Youth Shelter has been scrawled with obscene graffiti, just days after it was officially opened. The £12,000 shelter has solar powered lighting and the facility to play music through Bluetooth using mobile phones and was only installed two weeks ago. Thame Town Council, which provided the shelter after consultation with young people in the town, is appealing for help to stop this sort of vandalism which costs more money and time to clear up. Within a couple of months of the opening of a completely re-equipped Southern Road Recreation Area, now know as The South Pole, at a cost of £186,000, parts of the wet pour surface has already been ripped up. The Chairman of the town council's Culture Leisure and Recreation Committee, Cllr Nigel Champken-Woods, said: "I really do wonder why we bother. A lot of money has been spent recently on trying to improve the facilities for the younger members of our community but a small group of people try to destroy the good work." The council is asking anyone who sees vandalism taking place, to report it to the police straight away, by calling 999. Alternatively, anyone with information
about vandalism who does not wish to speak to police or leave
their name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
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WARNING - Inhaling Noz, (nitrous oxide - laughing gas) can kill! THERE are more warnings this week that the craze among middle class adults and young people to inhale 'Noz' or nitrous oxide, often from an inflated balloon, can be dangerous, after a 23 year-old man from Birmingham, died recently after inhaling Noz, or laughing gas as it is also known. The use of Noz is becoming more wide spread in the Thame area, where it is popular with young kids because it is a cheap way to get a temporary 'high'. But because the body need oxygen, breathing in neat Helium can quickly cause suffocation, as the body's oxygen quickly runs out. Inhaling Noz can apparently cause brain damage and damage to the spine because it effects bone marrow. MAKE YOUR OWN MIND UP - Follow this link
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Connexions CONNEXIONS in South Oxfordshire has recently opened a “drop-in” service at Thame Town Hall each Wednesdays 2pm – 4.30pm. Connexions can help young people between 16 and 19 years of age with: · job hunting support · careers information, advice and guidance · CV building · advice on other matters, such as finance, housing and general health. If you need support, Connexions would love
to see you!
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Image courtesy of fluffysphere.com