THAME Players’ next production, The Taming of the Shrew, reflects Shakespeare’s constant theme of marriage, with its good-humoured take on how two strong- minded, feisty characters meet, clash and finally resolve into a loving relationship.
The production will run from Tuesday, July 7, to Saturday, July 11, at 7.45pm. Tickets: £9 (concessions ££8). Tuesday July 7th all tickets £7.
More information and to book, visit the Thame Players’ website: http://thameplayers.co.uk/the-taming-of-the-shrew/
THIS month’s The Late Breakfast networking event in Thame is this Thursday, June 11.
Starts at 9am – 10.30am at The Spread Eagle Hotel, in the AJR Room at the rear of the Restaurant. The event will innclude a talk from Greg Lovett of Fizz Accounting, in Thame, ‘No more boom and bust! ‘
Many business owners(and non business owners) are resigned to having volatile, up and down finances. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, says Greg, who will look at some ways in which you can smooth out your business or personal finances and make them work much, much better for you.
JUNE 15, 2015, marks the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the Oxfam Bookshop in Thame has assembled a superb collection of books on the fact and fiction of the Napoleonic era, in its window display.
Dick Jennens, Shop manager, said: “‘The volunteer team have taken time to collect a great selection of books on this momentous event and the era that preceded it. We are excited and delighted to offer for sale two very special collections:”
History of the Peninsular War, by Sir Charles Oman, 1996, Greenhill Books, in seven volumes, published as a facsimile edition, of the 1930 original, all in Very Good condition with dust-jackets priced at £250.00
A complete set of the 12 Matthew Hervey novels by Alan Mallinson, published by Bantam Press between 1999 and 2015; all are First Editions in VG condition complete with dust-jackets. Three volumes are flat signed by the author. A remarkable set, priced at £400.00.
“This is a great opportunity to purchase two wonderful sets of books relating the fact or fiction of Napoleonic times, and when sold will generate much needed income to fund our work fighting poverty and suffering,” added Dick.
The Oxfam Bookshop, Thame, has been trading since December 2000 and has gained great support from donors, volunteers and customers. Since opening the shop has generated in excess of £1.5m for Oxfam. It is currently supported by 90 volunteers who give on average five hours of time each week. The eldest volunteer will shortly be 94 years of age, the youngest 14 years. We also have a very active online sales operation.
Oxfam is a global humanitarian, development and campaigning organisation working with others top overcome poverty and suffering, established in 1942 in Oxford. We now work in nearly 60 countries on a diverse range of projects, from community health care to providing emergency water sources and sanitation.
For every £1 donated to its general funds, 82p is spent on the emergency, development and campaigning work, 9p is spent on support and governance and 9p is invested to generate future income.
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information after a fatal road traffic collision on the M40 last night (June 8).
At around 7.35pm, a black Vauxhall Corsa was travelling southbound between Junction 7, Milton Common, and Junction 6, Lewknor, when it left the motorway and went down the embankment before coming to rest in an adjacent field.
The driver of the black Vauxhall Corsa, a 17-year-old boy from Maidenhead, died at the scene.
Police are appealing to anyone with any information about the collision to contact officers via the 101 number, quoting URN 1449 of 8/6.
Police would also like to speak to the driver of a Jaguar which was seen at or near the scene of the collision.
Investigating officer, PC Alan Turnbull from the Roads Policing Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Bicester said: “A young man tragically lost his life in this collision and we would like to speak to anyone who saw this incident so that we can establish exactly what happened.
“I am appealing to anyone who saw the black Vauxhall Corsa before the incident, or anyone who saw a Jaguar vehicle at or near the scene to also come forward.
“Any information you might, no matter how small, may aid our investigation.”
If you have any information please contact the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101 quoting URN 1449 8/6.
If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
THE Rotary Club of Thame is organising a film night evening to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. The world acclaimed movie ‘Waterloo’, will be screened at the Thame Players Theatre, Nelson Street on Friday, June 12. Doors will open at 7 pm, and the tickets cost £10 per person.
The 1970’s international production, directed by Sergey Bondarchuk, features famous actors like Rod Steiger, Christopher Plummer, and Orson Welles.
Thame Rotarians will try to re-create the atmosphere of the year 1815, including wearing Napoleonic costumes. The raffle prizes will also bring a French flavour to the evening.
The profits raised in the evening will go towards Rotary Club of Thame charities.
To find out how to purchase tickets or to apply to join the Rotary Club of Thame please visit: LINK
As a precursor to Thame Players’ production of Taming of the Shrew, White Cobra Productions are coming to the theatre on Sunday, June 14, at 7.45pm to perform The Shakespeare Revue.
The show is a light-hearted collection of sketches, songs and anecdotes inspired by the works and reputation of William Shakespeare. Originally created for the RSC in April 1993, it includes extracts from Alan Bennett, Bill Oddie, Cole Porter, Richmal Crompton, Victoria Wood and many others. The result is a sparkling entertainment in the revue tradition, performed by six versatile actors and their pianist.
You never knew Shakespeare could be so much fun. Tickets for the show cost just £10 (concessions £9) and are available from Spear Travels, telephone 01844 217228 or online from www.thameplayers.co.uk.
A new charity shop is soon to open in Thame, in the retail space in Cornmarket that was previously occupied by Free Range Clothing.
The new shop will raise funds for the Florence Nightingale Hospice, which has five other stores, including one in Chinnor – outlets that between them currently contribute one third of the total income for the not-for-profit Trust that runs the hospice.
PR and Marketing Manager for Florence Nightingale, Sam Heggie, told Thame.Net: “We are very excited about coming to Thame which has shown us so much support in the past. We have talked to local people and researched the town centre offering and have decided that our Thame shop will particularly focus on Childrens’ wear.
“We aim to open the shop in Mid-July, and in the meantime, shall be looking for a Shop Manager and a group of volunteers to help operate the shop.”
The Florence Nightingale Hospice supports many patients in the Thame area with life-limiting illness and runs many fund-raising events for the hospice charity throughout the year, including last December’s Santa Fun-run in Thame. Registration is still open for the forthcoming, annual ‘Gemstone Midnight Walk’ on July 11th – SEE LINK
THAME resident Doris Hallett, of Croft Road, celebrated her 100th birthday today at the Thame and District Day Centre, where she has been a stalwart member for over seven years.
As well as a beautiful cake and flowers from the Trustees of the day centre, staff presented Doris with a card, made by hand, by volunteer Denise Hutchings, which was signed by everyone at the day centre – a card that stood proudly next to a birthday card from the Queen congratulating Doris on reaching her centenary.
Doris grew up and lived in Devon, and then lived in Somerset until 2007, when she moved to Thame to live with her daughter Ann. Doris has six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Day centre Manager, Gill Coleman, told Thame.Net: “Doris started at the day centre in April 2008 and quickly became a valued member, always on hand to give advice on the Centre’s activities, based on her years of service in the Women’s institute in the West Country where she was renowned for her Dundee cakes! She enjoys singing along with our entertainment and participating in all activities.
“A family member told us that before moving to Thame, Doris served as President of her local al Evergreen Club, and in 1993, she was awarded the gift of Maundy Money from the Queen at Wells Cathedral for services to her village.”
Doris’s daughter, Ann Wright, said today that members of the Scottish side of Doris’s family will be coming down to Thame to celebrate Doris’s 100 years all over again, with a special meal at The Peacock at Henton.
FOLLOWING its success in 2014, Beacon Festival promises to excel this year as the organisers bring together a very strong line up, including headliners on the Friday night, the amazing folk/Rock band, Rusty Shackle from Wales, who last year were so popular and played at all the top festivals including the legendary Glastonbury.
So what about Saturday night? “Well,” said Beacon Fest team member, Michele Pether: “How could we top Bon Jiovi, last years headliners? What better than one of the best Queen Tribute bands around, the amazing FLASH. Headlining the acoustic stage will be, non other than, local celebrity Megan Henwood, a singer/songwriter who is regularly seen on the circuit of all the big festivals.”
Supporting acts will include young indie band, Hidden Rivets and Who’s Alice, along with Band of Hope, MFU and Sultans on Swings, as well as tribute bands Chilli Rage, Prog Floyd, and U2Tribe. Beacon Fest prides itself on bringing a good selection of original and cover acts, local and national bands. Michele, who also runs Crash Records,added: “We were inundated with acts, bands and artists, not only from all over the UK, but the world – bands from as far away as Australia were applying on line. It took a long time for Selina, Jane and myself to listen and watch their youtube footage and make some very difficult decisions. The standard was exceptionally high.”
However, Beacon Festival is not just about music; there’s ‘glam camping’ in bell tents and tipis, real ales and ciders, cocktail bars, performing arts, a great kidz zone, literary and arts area, craft stalls, workshops, a feel good and healing space, plus of course, a great family atmosphere and one of the best sunsets for miles.
What better way to celebrate the summer solstice than to share it with family and friends at Beacon Festival over the weekend June 19 -20, 2015.
Full details on the website: www.beaconfestival.net
IN response to local concerns about the possible effect on the town centre of a proposed large supermarket on the edge of the town, Thame Town Council has announced that it has commissioned a Retail Impact Study for the town.
The scope of works put to prospective bodies to carry out the study, says the council, included input from residents and was sent to 10 specialist consultancies and academic institutions.
The council has reported that: “A number of proposals were received and the one that most closely matched the scope of works has been chosen. This is a joint proposal from Carter Jonas and the University of Southampton. Both organisations have excellent retail credentials and have demonstrated a good understanding of Thame’s needs.
“Additionally,” the council added, “the proposal is supported by a sound project plan. The Council is confident that the output of the study will be able to be used for the benefit of the town for some time to come.”
The town council was asked to initiate a Retail Impact Study by the Thame Centre First group, who gave a presentation to the town council recently, representing the views of some residents and several town centre independent retailers, who feared that a proposed plan by Tesco to build a supermarket on the by-pass on land currently occupied by DAF, would have a negative impact on the economy and vitality of the Thame Town Centre (LINK HERE TO PREVIOUS REPORT)