Thame.net

Category: entertainment and leisure news

  • The Dung Beatles to play Thame music club

    THE popular Beatles tribute band, The Dung Beatles will be the 10pm Feature Act at the next First Thursday Music Club in Thame, at The Stables, on the evening of December 3 – and its FREE!

    The Dung Beatles - posed (400x266)

    According to Terry Bloxham of The British Beatles Fan Club: “The Dung Beatles are pure unadulterated fun….definitely not your average Beatles tribute band.” Since they formed in early 2013, The Dung Beatles have played extensively at festivals – including Towersey, theatres, clubs, corporate and private events.  The same year, they played live on BBC Radio and in 2014 performed at Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club. Recently this year they were the closing act on the main stage at the Cambridge Trinity Hall June Event 2015, playing to a packed house of over a thousand students, on the same bill as Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac.

    Last month, out of a total of 15 acts during the course of the evening, six artists made their debut at FTMC whilst local news hound, Hayley O’Keeffe,  sang and played in public for the first time ever!

    Entrance, as always is completely FREE! First time amateurs through to full time professionals, and any genre of music, are welcome. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp, cocktail drum kit all set up. Just turn up and plug in! Player sign up is between 7.30 pm and 7.45pm.

    Links for: The Dung Beatles: facebook https://www.facebook.com/DungBeatles/
    Web: http://thedungbeatles.co.uk/

  • Games champions in the making

    John and Tess Davie demonstrate the games they have invented
    John and Tess Davie demonstrate the games they have invented

    FOLLOWING the news that nine year-old Alice Grapes from Chearsley, has reached the final stage of a national competition to invent a new game (SEE LINK), it seems that there are more young games inventors in the Thame area.

    John and Tess Davie from Thame have both also been shortlisted for the Brainbox games Young Games Designer of the year award.

    The siblings love playing board and card games, and both came up with imaginative, fun games for the whole family to play. Tess, whose game, Gold Rush, is an exciting chase game, said being on the national shortlist was ‘brilliant’.  Her older brother John said: “I’m really pleased that people might get to play our games and enjoy the ideas we’ve had.” John’s game is a card game in which players make different potions, and it’s his second game to be shortlisted for the prize.

    Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1The competition winner gets to have their game manufactured by Brainbox Games, and will win a pile of games as high as they are!  If either of the siblings wins this prize, they will donate the games to their school, John Hampden Primary in Thame.

    Readers can go to http://www.brainbox.co.uk/home/vote-for-young-games-inventor-2015 and cast their votes.

  • A Christmas musical feast from Thame singers

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    THAME Choral Society’s Christmas concert this year will be a performance in English of the first three parts of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.  As well as the joyous Bach, there will be new and traditional settings of Christmas songs and carols,  including some for the audience to sing. During the interval, traditional mince pies and mulled wine will add to, what promises to be, a special serving of  Christmas spirit.

    St Mary’s Church, Thame, Saturday, December 12, 2015, is the date for your diary, with the programme beginning at  7.30 pm. Tickets are £12 at the door or £10 in advance from A Piece of Cake, 18 Upper High Street, Thame OX9 3EX and Blooming Fruity, 6 Banks Parade, Haddenham, Aylesbury HP17 8ED.

    Anyone interested in singing with this long-established choir, whether an experienced singer or a beginner, will be welcomed at one of its Wednesday evening rehearsals, which begin again in January 2016, at the Methodist Church in Haddenham. More information about the choir can be found on the website www.thamechoralsociety.co.uk, or drop an email to thamechoralsociety@hotmail.co.uk

  • Simon and Garfunkel musical tribute

    Bookends (400x267)

    BOOKENDS return to perform Simon and Garfunkel at The Players Theatre, Thame, at 7.45pm on Sunday, November 15. Tickets cost £12 and are available from Spear travels, 01844 217228, or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk.

    Following a sell out run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bookends are back on tour performing what has been described as the most authentic sounding tribute to the music of Simon & Garfunkel. Performing the songs in a truly captivating way, their delicate recreation of the unmistakable sound of the America folk-rock duo has been described by many as spellbinding, and received a four star review from Broadway Baby.

    “A stunning musical tribute” – Broadway Baby

    The show will feature many of the hits such as ‘The Sound of Silence’, ‘Mrs Robinson’ and ‘The Boxer’ as well as classic album tracks like ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘Keep The Customer Satisfied’ and even early folk gems such as ‘Sparrow’. With so many wonderful songs performed live, Bookends are a must see for any music lover.

    “Closing your eyes that could really be Simon & Garfunkel” – BBC Radio Nottingham

  • A Brill way to try orienteering!

    FANCY a new outdoor challenge for all the family? Why not try orienteering at Brill Common this weekend. Thames Valley Orienteering Club is organising an event on Saturday, November 14, for newcomers, families and runners to try out this exciting adventure sport.

    Orienteering is one of the country’s fastest growing adventure sports. At most events, there are several courses of varying length and difficulty, suitable for families and children. There are also longer courses for the more competitive and for runners looking for a new challenge.

    Beacon Wood family large cropped (400x400)

    At the event in Brill you will receive a special orienteering map showing a series of checkpoints. The challenge is to visit all the checkpoints, but you must decide your own route between each one. When you find each checkpoint, it is marked by a flag and you will need to register each one using an electronic timing chip to record your progress.

    “Most people don’t realise that orienteering is a competitive running sport,” said Mike Shires, Publicity Officer for TVOC. “However, orienteering really is a sport for all. Our events attract keen runners as well as plenty of families who come along for a jog or walk around a course. It’s also a great opportunity for parents to have a run while the children tackle a junior course.”

    TVOC is Clubmark accredited and has around 250 members from Bucks and the Thames Valley. The club organises around 25 events a year, ranging from local events for 100 competitors to larger regional events with 1,000 runners. Newcomers are always welcome.

    Club member Blanka Collis, 31, said: “It’s a good way of keeping fit and for me it is also more interesting than just jogging. It’s an extra mental challenge. Sometimes people think it’s like treasure hunting. They say: ‘I did that at school once-upon-a-time’ but it’s a running sport for all the family.”

    To have a go this weekend at Brill Common, just turn up between 10am and 11.30am. There will be five different courses set up, of varying difficulty and length, from 1km to 5km. Parking is by the windmill on Brill Common. There will be plenty of help on hand for newcomers.

    The cost is £6 / £2 entry on the day, including a map to keep and hire of an electronic timing chip. For more details visit TVOC’s website at www.tvoc.org.uk

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Hunt the Christmas donkeys to become a star!

    Donkey Sample (400x400)THAME Town Council is already getting into the festival spirit by launching a treasure trail around the town centre, giving the opportunity for the winner to switch on the Christmas lights this year.

    In honour of two real live donkeys who will be at the Switch-On on Friday, December 4, 23 ‘Dennis Donkeys’ and one very special ‘Daisy Donkey’ have been hidden in shop windows around Cornmarket, Upper High Street, North Street, Buttermarket, Swan Walk, Greyhound Walk and High Street. Hunting for the numbered donkeys can begin from this coming Friday, November 6.

    seans_choice_crendon_bedsThe first entry out of the hat with all the correct answers will get the chance to push the plunger and switch on the town’s Christmas lights as well as earn some other fabulous prizes. Independent Mortgae Solutions (RGB) - R1To enter the competition, write on a piece of paper all the shops around town that have one of the special donkeys in their window and take it to the Town Hall Information Centre. Don’t forget to include your name, age, address and telephone number.

  • From Edinburgh Fringe to Thame

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    THAME Players welcome Lemon Squeeze Productions, (assisted by Players Theatre regulars, Rum Doxy), with their latest comedy play. The performance is this Friday, November 6, at 7.45pm

    Fresh from Edinburgh Fringe ‘Dearly Beloved’ tells the story of a thirteen year old girl, a middle aged business man and a twenty something single mother, who are wrenched from their everyday lives to find themselves trapped together in a mysterious room. Abbie, Peter and Lacey are thrown into a world of confusion and are desperate to find a way out. With a little outside help they realise that in order to escape, they will have to confront ghosts and share secrets they thought they’d buried in the past. In this room they have no choice but to put aside their masks and bare their souls…

    Dearly Beloved is a heart-warming comedy drama by comedian and writer Sarah Archer, that will take the audience on an emotional roller coaster of laughter and tears.

    “Sometimes just sometimes you can discover a little gem of a production at the Fringe. ‘Dearly Beloved’ is one such gem, you’ll laugh and cry for all the right reasons… this production just might get you thinking… Highly recommend.”

    “Cleverly written and very well acted. The subject matter is unusual and intriguing. It is funny but poignant and your heart bleeds for the characters as they realise their terrible predicament. Well worth seeing and will keep you thinking for a long while afterwards.”

    Tickets cost £10 with £2 off for concessions. Available from Spear Travels, 01844 217228 or online from – www.thameplayers.co.uk.

    SOURCE: Contributed

  • Want to improve your spoken German?

    image courtesy of openculture.com
    image courtesy of openculture.com

    LIKE to improve your spoken German? A friendly group in Haddenham is looking for members to join them, no matter what level of German they already have.

    Group member Roger Powell said: “We have a variety of levels, high to low -which is me – but we are all passionate about maintaining and learning more.”

    Anyone who would like find out more can contact Roger on 07768118529, or email him: cpl.rapowell@gmail.com

  • Fireworks and glow stick procession will light up village

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    IT’S that time of year for gunpowder, treason and plot, and of course to dust off the bobble hat and don your wellies for a firework spectacle to remember.

    On Saturday, November 7, Long Crendon will hold its annual Fireworks Display, starting with an exciting Glow Stick Light Procession for all the children and families to enjoy. Building on the success of last year, Chilton Road in Long Crendon will be closed as the parade takes place from the Scout Hut up to the Long Crendon school field.

    And the fun won’t stop there. As well as the fabulous firework display, there will be a barbeque, disco, tuck shop and bar selling local XT brewery beers and warming mulled wine – all to make sure the whole family has a great time. Come rain or shine, organisers are confident that this is sure to be one of the best fireworks displays in the area and over 1,000 spectators are expected to attend the event.

    The Glow Stick Light Procession starts at 4.45pm at the Scout Hut, Long Crendon, and doors open at Long Crendon School at 5pm.

    The event this year is sponsored by Fisher German estate agents and tickets can be bought online, with a discount to buy early. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.longcrendonfireworks.co.uk

  • From Abbey Road Studios to FTMC

    The band, The 27
    The band, The 27

    NEXT Thursday, November 5, should see some fireworks at the next edition of the First Thursday Music Club at The Stables in Thame. The 27, featuring Henry Parker Tom Michell, and David Page, recently recorded an EP at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London and have recently taken to the road to promote it – with FTMC being one of their early gigs.

    Heavily influenced by the music their parents were listening to in the 60s and 70s, The 27, produce a big sound from two guitars and bass with a focus on some stunning three-part, vocal harmonies. The 27 are this month’s feature act and will be on at 10pm.

    Joshua Gilbert returns to FTMC for a cameo appearance, together with A little Bit Country and The Vibe. A great night is guaranteed!

    In addition, at least 10 other artists and bands will be appearing in the Open Mic section in front of a crowd of around 200. Entrance, as always is completely FREE! First time amateurs through to full time professionals, and any genre of music, are welcome. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp, cocktail drum kit all set up. Just turn up and plug in!

    Player sign up is between 7.30 pm and 7.45pm.

    Facebook link for The 27 – https://www.facebook.com/the27music/timeline