OVER 100 people gathered in the centre of Thame on Saturday, July 2, to add their voices to those in Edinburgh who wanted to Make Poverty History.
Wearing white Tee shirts, they encircled the Town Hall with a white band of cloth and chanted “Drop the Debt, Fair Trade, Make Poverty History!”
Passers by joined in the circle until there were people all the way round the Town Hall, holding up the cloth and chanting loudly.
“It was a rare sight in Thame!” said Margie Barber, one of the Marshalls and organisors.
“We were delighted that so many people wanted to take part” said Karen Dauncey, another of the organisers. “People kept coming up and saying how great it was to have the opportunity to do something in their own town. We wanted to offer Thame the chance to Think Global but Act local and they showed they were happy to do so”.
After the encircling black and white helium balloons were released with their messages of hope. Many people stayed to try the fun activities, including taste testings of delicious Fair Trade chocolate, bananas and biscuits, all donated by Waitrose. The most daunting activity, to try and carry a bucket of water on your head for ten paces, was only manged by a few people; many nearly got drenched when the water went flying. Tony Harrison seemed to have the knack best, walking around confidently and even turning round with the bucket still in place.
Marjorie Wyatt commented that, as a long term campaigner for Africa, she was impressed to see so many young people taking part. “Many of us were white headed” she smiled, “as you’d expect, but it was good to see the young peple there – showing their concern for the future.”
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