Category: entertainment and leisure news

THAME photographer, Mark Hewitson, of Mark Hewitson Photography, has today been awarded an Associateship with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP), a national body overseeing excellence in professional photography.  

 
Mark submitted a panel of 20 adorable dog portrait images to the SWPP which were then judged by a board of his peers to be suitable for the award. To achieve the Associate Qualification the images submitted must show above average skill and technique as well as sitting together as a body of work representative of the photographer’s unique style, creativity and skills. 

 
Mark said: “To have my work recognised by my peers as being of excellent quality and creativity is a huge honour which makes me extremely proud. This award helps drive me to continue creating outstanding images for my clients and helps form part of our promise of excellence.” 

 
Mark Hewitson Photography can be contacted on 01844 278015 or via the website at www.markhewitson.co.uk  

TO add to Thame’s growing list of annual festivals, which already includes a Music Festival, a Literary Festival and a Food Festival, the town will soon be holding a History Festival. 

The History Festival, which will be supported by Thame Museum though not run by it, will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2020. The event will celebrate the history of the town with a range of activities and guided tours of historical buildings, with the aim of increasing local engagement with the town’s history and its heritage.  

Local organisations such as Thame Historical Society and other regional organisations including Haddenham Museum, the John Hampden Society, Lord Williams’s School, the Oxfordshire Local History Association, South Oxfordshire Archaeology Group, the Wheatley Archive and the Oxfordshire History Centre Library will also be involved.  

The Upper Chamber of the town hall will be transformed for interactive, hands-on activities for children and adults to take part in and there will quizzes and a large map of the town where local visitors can pinpoint the location and age of their homes. 

The Town Council has agreed to provide seed-funding of £1,000 and free use of the Town Hall for the event, similar to that provided by the Town Council for the first Thame Arts & Literature Festival and Thame Food Festival.  

Diary date: June 7, 2020

LORD Williams’s Festival Chorus will perform Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem on Saturday, March 14, at Thame Leisure Centre. Of the many choral settings of the Requiem, Fauré’s is probably the most widely loved.

In comparison with the large-scale masterpieces of Verdi, Brahms and Berlioz, Fauré’s setting seems gentle and unassuming, yet it is this very quality of understatement which contributes so eloquently to the work’s universal appeal.

Led by Musical Director Jeff Stewart, the choir will also perform another Fauré work, Cantique de Jean Racine, a short sacred piece that has captured the affections of choirs and audiences alike.

The evening’s programme will also include popular and much-loved Anthems by Sir Hubert Hastings Parry with Jerusalem and I Was Glad amongst them.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £13 adult, £10 concession and £1 under 18s, available from choir members, on the door and online at Eventbrite via www.lordwilliamsfestivalchorus.org.uk

THIS February CPRE invites everyone to join in with Star Count 2020, a fun and easy way to enjoy the wonders of the universe. By simply counting the number of stars they can see in the Orion constellation between 21 and 28 February, those taking part will help map the best and worst places to see the awesome sight of a star-filled night sky. 

Throughout history people have gazed up at the magical starry night sky in wonder and used the cosmos to navigate. Looking at the stars we get a feeling of tranquillity rarely experienced in today’s frantic lives. Seeing dark skies full of stars is something we associate with the countryside, and part of reconnecting with the natural world. However, places to view these spellbinding sights are becoming harder to find, even in the countryside.  

Last year’s Star Count results showed that light pollution, often caused by the glow and glare from street and outdoor household and sports lighting, is making beautiful starry skies a rare sight for many of us. Just 2% of people who took part in Star Count 2019 told us they were viewing a truly dark sky.  

Helen Marshall, Director CPRE Oxfordshire said: ‘A starry night sky is one of the most magical sights the countryside can offer, connecting people to such an important part of our natural heritage.  But many people don’t get to experience this beauty due to light pollution. We want to get people out counting the stars and helping to save them now and for future generations to enjoy!’ 

As well as preventing us from seeing the stars and wonders of our Milky Way galaxy, the Northern Lights, and meteors (shooting stars), light pollution has serious impacts. It disrupts the natural behaviour of wildlife and can be harmful for our health. It’s also a waste of energy, at a time when many people are trying to live more sustainably. 

Using the results from the annual Star Count, CPRE will lobby Government and local authorities to tackle light pollution, and also highlight which ‘dark sky’ areas need to be protected and enhanced by strong policies. 

CPRE’s Star Count is supported by the British Astronomical Association’s Commission for Dark Skies (CfDS).  

Expert astronomer Bob Mizon from the CfDS said: ‘As well as being a wonderful opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the night sky, Star Count is starting to give us some really useful information. We’re hoping many more people will join in this year and give us the best map ever.’ 

To take part, star counters are asked to choose a clear night between Friday 21 and Friday 28 February. During this time the moon is less bright, making it easier to carry out a cosmic census, although CPRE will accept results from any nights in the second half of February. Without using a telescope of binoculars, people can then count the stars within the rectangle shape formed by Orion, except the four stars on the outer corners, then submit their results at cpre.org.uk/starcount 

AFTER being closed for refurbishment, Thame Museum will be re-opening on Saturday, February 15, with a brand new, reception area and a fantastic new shop.

As you venture through the doors, you will be welcomed into a new, contemporary reception area by the museum’s very friendly team who will be there to answer your questions and help make your visit as pleasant as possible.

The new shop has been restocked with all sorts of gifts for adults and children, including handmade books, original art by local artists and hand-made jewellery – perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and all other occasions!

And for more family fun, don’t miss Naturetastic at the museum on Wednesday, February 19 (Half term week).

AS part of Thame Town Music Festival, this year’s Friday night concert will feature the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Ray McVay.

Tickets are on sale now (and already selling fast!) from the Information Centre in the Town Hall. Full price tickets are £20 each and there are a limited number available for over 65s at the reduced price of £18.

The concert, which will be held in St Mary’s Church, is on Friday, July 10. Doors open at 6.30pm and the concert starts at 7.30pm, finishing at 10pm.

FOND of good ‘Who dunnit?’ Now’s your chance to help Inspector Barnaby solve two more murders in ‘Midsomer County’!

Mingle with the cast, act as witnesses, and decide who’s guilty! And you get to do all of this while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner!

On Friday, March 20, Thame Players will be performing their very own murder mystery play, A Deadly Midsomer Business, featuring Inspector Barnaby & Co, at the Spread Eagle Hotel, one of Thame’s most celebrated Midsomer Murders filming locations. The audience is invited to watch the play while enjoying a delicious three-course dinner and then decide who committed both the murders at the end.

Two murdered!

The action takes place at the annual shareholders’ party of prominent local company, Cummins & Gowins. During the party it becomes clear that each of the guests has a guilty secret they’d prefer to keep concealed from the other guests. When the Chairman of the company is murdered and his demise is soon followed by another murder, retired policeman DCI Barnaby is called in to investigate.

The plot involves lots of cunning twists and turns that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Towards the end, the audience are asked to help DCI Barnaby solve the two murders by acting as judge and jury and deciding who the guilty parties are.

Search for clues

Although in keeping with the Midsomer theme, the plot is highly murderous, this will be an evening of light-hearted entertainment, with plenty of corny jokes and innuendo along the way, while you watch for clues to identify the culprits.

Thame Players have performed their murder mystery plays at a wide range of locations previously, but this will be the first time they have performed at Thame’s Spread Eagle Hotel. Bryan Williams, the hotel’s General Manager, said: “I’m delighted that Thame Players will be performing at the Spread Eagle, which is quite fitting as the hotel is a celebrated Midsomer Murders filming location. We invite Midsomer fans from near and far to come and sample our excellent food and wine on March 20, while they help DCI Barnaby solve the murders.”

Historic setting

Mike Rochford, Director of A Deadly Midsomer Business, said: “Our murder mystery plays have been very popular over the years and we have had a lot of fun devising this one featuring DCI Barnaby. When you come to watch it, you will not just be experiencing fine acting by members of Thame Players, you will also be enjoying the hospitality of our leading historic hotel in Thame. Please come along and have fun while helping DCI Barnaby catch the murderers!’

How to book

Advance bookings for the March 20, show are going well, and it’s been decided to hold a second performance of A Deadly Midsomer Business, on Friday, June 19, so there’s a choice of two shows.

Book your place by calling 01844 213661 or emailing events@spreadeaglethame.co.uk. The all-inclusive price for a three-course dinner and entertainment by Thame Players is £35.00 per person. The bar is open from 7pm, and dinner is served from 8pm. The play is in two acts with a finale, and the action takes place between the three courses.

THE Thame Green Living Plan is currently holding a photography competition www.thamegreenliving.org.uk/photos  to update the pictures in the 2020 Thame Living Plan document.

There are five categories to be captured digitally, so grab your camera and get snapping around Thame:

1 Open spaces, green routes, and our natural world

2 Water and Drainage

3 Air and environment – avoiding pollution

4 Energy and energy efficiency

5 Waste, recycling and waste avoidance.

LEADING pop rock band VAN SUSANS are coming to help Thame’s First Thursday Music Club celebrate its 10th birthday.

Lead singer Olly Andrews said: “The FTMC and its associated Thame Town Music Festival are two of our favourite places to play. We are delighted Johnnie asked us to help out with the party. Such music clubs and festivals are the grassroots of the UK’s music industry and it is vital we all recognize how important they are.

“The FTMC, in particular, is always a brilliant night with a wide variety of really good quality acts and it’s such a wonderful atmosphere.”

Van Susans will be joined by local favourites, The Vibe and Celtic Heartbeat, rising star Francesca Luker and her band, Meghan Gallagher, Paul Chapman and an appearance by Tom Crook who is presenting a very special guest.

The First Thursday Music Club offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience, the club now operates a pre-booking system for acts to ensure that artists are not disappointed by turning up and not being able to get a slot at this very popular event. Go on the FTMC Facebook site to get in contact and book a slot at a future event. Meanwhile Happy Birthday to the FTMC! Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and entrance, as always, is FREE to all!

FTMC Contacts:
Jon Littler, 07771 673996, jon.littler@me.com
Jim Greenhough, 07771 543131 jim@mycornerhouse.co.uk
Phil Westerman, 07971 545689, philwesterman@hotmal.com

UPDATE – Another screening of ‘Judy’ is scheduled for Friday, February 8, at 5pm, doors 4.30. Thame Cinema 4 All will swap any 8pm tickets to 5 pm if ticket holders email films@thamecinema.org.uk
SOME great films showing during February at the Players Theatre, Thame, by Thame Cinema 4 All. Next up is Judy on February 7 (25 tickets only left for Judy!), followed by The Peanut Butter Falcon on February 15. TRAILER HERE

Tickets are available online http://thamecinema.org.uk or on the door. Online bookings close three hours before the screening and all unsold tickets will be available on the door. Thame Cinema is based at the Thame Players Theatre in Nelson Street. All films start at 8pm (unless shown otherwise) and doors open 30 minutes before each film. Admission is just £5. There is a licenced bar.

More information and to book, LINK HERE