Category: Missed a ThameNews story?

TO celebrate the start of summer, the chefs at The Thatch in Thame have been on the hunt for the perfect British strawberry – deliciously sweet and full of flavour, blushingly red and juicy, with a perfect heart shape. And so that everyone can make the most of this superb summer produce, they have come up with a special way of serving it – Dip Your Own Strawberries.

Their quest for the best British berry took them deep into the heart of rural Staffordshire to Lower Ruele Farm, where they met grower Charles Kidson and asked him what makes the best strawberry. Here they discovered that it’s all down to the variety, and how the plants are nurtured, that produces the pick of the crop.

“Walking into the poly tunnels we were met with a blaze of colour from the pops of red dotted along as far as the eye could see,” saID The Thatch’s head chef, Tom Upham. “We were just as struck by the way the strawberries are grown along rows of narrow table tops where the tender young fruits can gently ripen in the warm air before being picked from their delicate green stalks. Harvesting is done over several days, when each berry is deemed to be perfectly ripe, sweet and ready to eat.

“Unable to resist popping one of the beautiful berries into our mouths, we discovered that it is nature, as well as nurture, that plays a part in growing the finest fruit. Only Driscoll’s Amesti strawberries are grown here, a modern breed chosen because of the intensity of flavour, colour and shape of the strawberries it yields. Runners are produced in Holland from the high quality plant tips and lovingly tended here on the farm in ideal strawberry growing conditions. The result is simply the perfect strawberry,” he said.

After picking the perfect strawberries, the chefs went one better to bring the best of British summer to the pub, creating an irresistible dessert of Dip Your Own Strawberries.

Into one big pot goes a generous helping of large, juicy red strawberries; into another, a glug of gorgeous, velvety Valrhona chocolate sauce and one final pot a dollop of sweet Chantilly cream. The whole lot goes onto a board ready for you to dip yourself, with a pile of crumbly shortbread biscuits that are the perfect partner to the luscious fruit and dips.

“The best British strawberries we could find, rich chocolate sauce and unctuous cream with the crunch of biscuits on the side are the perfect ingredients for the perfect dish,” says Tom. “It’s the best of British all in one place, and the best summer dish. It’s simply delicious. But as with all good things, it won’t be around for long so catch it while you can!”

Dip Your Own Strawberries are being served at The Thatch in Thame from now until the end of July, priced £5.75. To book a table, go to www.thethatchthame.co.uk

The Thatch, 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340

To find out more about how the perfect strawberry is grown, visit http://www.peachpubs.com/blog/10-things-know-driscolls-amesti-strawberry-lower-ruele-farm/

THAME’s amateur dramatic company, Thame  Players were lucky enough recently to have staged a series of masterclasses on acting, tutored by Bruce Alexander, the well-known TV star and Royal Shakespeare Company actor who is also a patron of  Thame Players.

The masterclasses helped participants strengthen their basic theatrical skills focusing particularly on the demands posed by Shakespearean acting and how to get the most out of the interplay between word and movement – even how to get a good laugh.

The masterclasses were well-timed, as Thame Players began rehearsals during May and June for their new production of Shakespeare’s comedy, The Taming of Shrew, opening tomorrow (07/07). Amy Kerstein, who has the lead part of Kate in this production, said: “It was such a privilege to work with Bruce Alexander. He has a huge wealth of professional experience and his love of Shakespeare’s language was infectious. Working with him has helped all of us to raise our game, and hopefully that will show in our performances this week.”

Her co-star, Victor Gaultney, plays Petruchio, a swaggering adventurer who takes on the task of taming the shrew – alias Kate. He commented: “Bruce helped us get the most from Shakespeare’s text and to explore Kate and Petruchio’s unexpected transition from antagonism to love and respect. I’m very glad to have had the chance to be inspired by Bruce’s creativity and enthusiasm.”

The masterclasses were funded by local house-builder Rectory Homes, as part of its sponsorship programme with Thame Players. Rectory Homes is also the headline sponsor of this production of The Taming of the Shrew, which promises to be a masterclass of a production that will delight theatre-goers.

Taming of the Shrew is showing at The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, on Tuesday, July 7 to Saturday, July 11, at 7.45pm – More information including ticket prices and availability here: LINK 

A ‘truly staggering’ £14,000 has been raised by this year’s Towersey Fete,  held in warm sunshine, on June 21, following a record gate of 1,300 visitors – and that was just the adults!

The majority of the money raised will go towards the £150,000 needed to repair the rapidly deteriorating stonework of Towersey’s church. Another 10% of the proceeds will be distributed later in the year to various village organisations.

The fete was held in the magnificent gardens of Towersey Manor, hosted by David and Pussy Barnett.

MORE pictures from Towersey Fete 2015 : LINK