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Category: Thame news

  • Exciting range of entertainment throughout May and June at the Players Theatre

    AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – PATRICK COLLINS
    Sunday 19th May Ticket price tbc
    Another evening of poetry, readings and music in aid of Amnesty International

    EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP IMPROV
    Friday 24th May at 7.45pm Tickets £10

    Extreme Championship Improv is the latest and greatest form of improvised theatre from Sparky Buddy Productions, a film and theatre company based in the UK. Originally founded in 2010 by artistic director David Pustansky, the company was originally formed as a pure improvisation theatre company

    HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN
    Sunday 2nd June at 7.45pm Tickets £15
    Experience the power and the passion of a Led Zeppelin concert, played by one of the most exciting Rock’n’Roll bands on the circuit today. These guys have performed with the best and are a truly professional outfit guaranteed to give you a night that you won’t forget in a hurry!

    COMEDY @ THE PLAYERS
    Friday 7th June at 7.45pm Tickets £12
    Alfie Brown: Lunatic (plus supporting act)
    From a complete sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival, Alfie Brown is coming to Thame on his first UK Tour.  His latest show, Lunatic, is about identity politics and trying to be a good father in a horrible world. He provides no answers, only questions.

    DUNG BEATLES
    Saturday 8th June at 7.45pm Tickets £12 with £10 concessions
    Hailed by The British Beatles Fan Club as ‘definitely not your average Beatles band’, the band has earned high praise for its authentic musical renditions and close-harmony vocals. Based in Buckinghamshire, The Dung Beatles got together in 2013, with Danny Prendergast on lead guitar and vocal, Mike Ashton on drums, Steve Hillier on rhythm guitar and lead vocal, and Phil Toler on bass and vocals. Martin Kent joined in 2017 on keyboards.

    All Tickets available online from www.thameplayers.co.uk or from Spear Travels on 01844 217228

  • Breezy fun-run a success for Lord Bills’ fund-raisers

    STORM Hannah may have been doing her blustery best to hinder Saturday afternoon’s Lord Williams’s School (LWS) 5k fun run, but it didn’t stop 215 brave souls from taking part!

    The event, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the school, saw BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce, setting fun runners off at just after 1pm – all superbly led by local Thame Runner, Faye Sharpley. Entrants took on the off-road route across the upper school field, which saw them negotiating tyres, hay bales, a cargo net and a colour station where runners were pelted with paint as they ran through.

    The Lord Williams’s School PTA (LWPA) hopes to raise close to £4,000 from the event, which will help fund essential school equipment to support the school learning environment.

    Commenting on another successful fun run, PTA Chair Karen Shardlow, said: “We’re really pleased with how the afternoon went, and hope everyone enjoyed being part of a terrific day of fundraising! It was great to see runners of all ages turning out in support of the fun run, which is now in its third year.”

    She added: “A huge thank you must go to the LWS school team, including staff who ran on the day or helped by volunteering. Also, to local businesses Lucy Electric, TNS and iPad sponsor Abbey Business Interiors, for their generosity in donating and sponsoring items – we simply couldn’t put on this event without you.”

    Headteacher David Wybron also took part and received a good coating of paint as he ran through the colour station section!

  • Wellies at the ready for some ‘balsam bashing’

    HIMALAYAN balsam is a pesky, invasive non-native plant, that has established itself along the River Thame and some of its tributaries. These plants bully their way into habitat, over shading and out-competing our native flora.

    They are good disperses and can easily spread using explosive seed pods that shoot seeds several meters into the nearest watercourse.

    ©Keith Williamson

    Thankfully they are shallow rooted and easy to pull out and that’s where YOU come in!

    What’s involved?

    The River Thame Conservation Trust is inviting local people to spend a few hours walking lengths of Bear Brook, near Aylesbury, stream pulling out balsam plants before they can set seed, and help to clear space for native plants to grow.

    What do you need to bring?

    Bring wellies, a water bottle, lunch and maybe a sun hat. All other equipment, including gloves, will be supplied.

    Location: Stoke Brook, Aylesbury – May 12 and 19.

    Time: 10am-3pm – Tea and coffee supplied, but bring your own lunch.

    Anyone interested in taking part cam email Hannah (hannah@riverthame.org) or call 07460 275627.

  • New bus shelters for Thame

    BUS users at three bus stops in Thame are set to benefit from new bus shelters, funded by Oxfordshire County Council developer Section 106 contributions.

    Bus stop at Esingdon Drive (Wenman Road), Thame

    Each shelter will display a town centre map, have bench seats with handles and will be suitable for Disabled access. The following bus stops are to get the shelters; Oxford Road (Thame bound) and two in Wenman Road (Warren Mead and Esingdon Drive – Thame bound).

  • Thame to celebrate ten years of great arts and literature

    THAME this October will be celebrating a decade of inspiring books, art and music, when the fun begins for the tenth Thame Arts and Literature Festival (TAL).

    Plans are already well underway for this auspicious anniversary of this festival which attracts award-winning authors, artists, poets, playwrights, comedians and musicians.

    To whet your appetite, some of the well-known names already lined up to appear at TAL this year include author Penelope Lively and political writer and broadcaster Matthew Parris.

    A comedian, a poet, a historian, novelists, historians and more….

    Returning to TAL, will be a favourite TAL guest,Will Gompertz, writer, presenter and the BBC’s first Arts Editor; the hilarious Adam Kay, the doctor-turned-comedian; Roger McGough (he just can’t stay away from TAL!), much-loved poet and presenter of the BBC’s Poetry Please, and Alison Weir, one of Britain’s top-selling historians. Also appearing in this very special TAL year, will be Dominic Sandbrook, presenter, commentator, broadcaster and author, and Novelists Victoria Hislop and Virginia Nicholson.

    Yvonne Maxwell (centre) with her Thame Town Award

    “We absolutely love creating each festival and watching it find its unique voice,” said TAL Festival Founder and Festival Director, Yvonne Maxwell, who this year received the Thame Town Award for Creative Arts Achievement.

    A four day feast of culture and fun

    As always, the TAL festival will be full of entertaining, enjoyable and informative events to spark your imagination, with lots of amazing talks, debates, ideas, laughter and music thrown in.

    Back by popular request is TAL’s very own Glyndebarn with Opera Anywhere; Rumsey’s Tea Concert; the Thame Ghost Walk, and the inspiring and colourful Art Crawl.

    More entertainment to come!

    More events are yet to be added to the programme, including creative workshops, something for the little ones at TAL Kids, and even a Parent Panel. Watch this space!

    There’ll also be plenty of surprises in store for all ages so sign up for regular newsletters so that you won’t miss out when online booking opens earlier than usual this year, at 12 noon on Saturday, June 1.
    Contact: info@talfestival.org

    A final word from TAL’s founder, Yvonne Maxwell: ““TAL has been my passion since the first festival in 2009. It’s great to see that so many people share this with us, by the growing numbers attending each year and with such enthusiasm.”

    As previous TAL visitors have commented:
    “It’s wonderful to have such a good festival in the centre of town.”
    “It’s an amazing community event.”
    “An unique experience to hear people one has long admired.”

  • Witness for the Prosecution

    WITNESS for the Prosecution, by Agatha Christie, directed by Pat Shepherd, will be performed from May 7, to 11, at 7.45pm, at the Players Theatre in Nelson Street, Thame.

    Leonard Vole stands accused of murdering a rich widow. The stakes are high with shocking witness testimony, impassioned outbursts from the dock and a young man’s fight to escape the hangman’s noose. Generally regarded as one of Christie’s most accomplished plays, this suspenseful thriller keeps audiences guessing until the very end.

    With a cast of 18, it’s a great play for as many actors to take part in as possible. It’s a very complex set designed by our very own Doug Taylor and will be outstanding. Come and be ‘wowed’. The play is set in the 1950s when hanging was still in force.

    It’s a long show but should finish by 10.30pm.

    Tickets are selling very fast with some performances almost 3/4 sold so don’t delay. We still have opportunities for a member of the audience to take part as the Foreman of the Jury with the chance to pronounce the verdict on two performances so contact Pat Shepherd on 01296 747017 if you’d like to do this.

    Tickets available online from www.thameplayers.co.uk or from Spear Travels on 01844 217228 although those wishing to be Foreman of the Jury need to ring Pat Shepherd on 01296 747017 to book that opportunity.

    Tickets are £8 on Tuesday and Wednesday 7th and 8th May. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9th, 10th and 11th May tickets are £10 with £9 concessions.

    Contributed by Pat Shepherd

  • The Jonny Cash story

    FOLLOWING a successful run at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Johnny Cash Story takes you on an incredible journey through the career of the 18-times Grammy winner.

    Immerse yourself in the world of the ‘Man in Black’ in this groundbreaking ‘show-umentary’ format.

    Featuring powerful renditions of Folsom Prison, Ring Of Fire, Man In Black, Hurt and many more.

    This astonishing back catalogue is realised with authenticity by Jamie Rodden, a critically acclaimed performer whose renditions of Cash’s songs have won audiences and wowed critics.

    “powerful and compelling singer” Fringe Guru
    “very engaging stage presence” Fringe Review
    “Highly recommended for all lovers of music” ScotGay

    The Johnny Cash Story is on at https://www.thameplayers.co.uk/ on the May 17.

  • One week left to apply for a Town Council grant

    IF you are a community or non-for-profit group working for the benefit of the people of Thame, you have just one week left to apply for a grant up to £2,400 from Thame Town Council.

    If your project addresses the needs, aspirations and issues of the people in our community, then you are eligible to apply.

    Applications must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. You can download an application form from www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/grant-aid or collect one from the Town Hall. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their grant application at the end of June.

    For further information or for assistance in completing your form, contact Town Council on 01844 212833 or email info@thametowncouncil.gov.uk

  • Donate your unwanted Tools to help others learn a trade in Africa

    THE Rotary Club of Thame and District, together with Thame and District Round Table is asking the public to check their sheds and lofts and bring their old tools to the main car park of Thame, Montesson Square, near the Market House.

    Sewing machines donated by Thame residents could help thousands of African workers like Umu to become more self reliant. Photo: courtesy of TFSR

    The tool collection will take place on Saturday, May 11, from 9am to 1pm. At the same time, Rotary members will be displaying a ShelterBox tent in front of Thame Town Hall to raise awareness of the work done by ShelterBox to help people affected by natural disasters around the world.

    Every year Thame Rotary runs a collection point for unwanted tools (not garden tools!). These are then taken to Tools for Self Reliance (TFSR) collection centre in Southampton. The latter is a charity which refurbishes the tools and sends them to NGOs in Africa. The NGOs then distribute them FREE to men and women which helps them obtain work.

    All of the tools sent to Africa are used to provide training and equip trainees with their own start-up kits to set up their own businesses after completing training, not only in their chosen trade, but in business management as well as financial and life skills.

    One such trainee is Umu Jalloh. Umu was living in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with her brother when she joined a Tools for Self Reliance course in partnership with Baptist Women’s Union. She had never been to school, and had left the family home aged 14, to escape an arranged marriage – her brother was looking after her; but Umu wanted to be able to earn a living, and contribute to their expenses.

    She signed up for a course in tailoring and enjoyed learning so much that she often stayed after the end of classes to practice. The business training, which was part of the programme, meant that Umu felt confident enough to purchase the materials she needed for a job, how to cost and price her products, and planning her use of the income.

    Umu said the biggest change was being economically empowered ‘…..so I do not have to be reliant on a man’.

    Items that can be taken to the collection point include sewing machines, tools used for plumbing, carpentry, metalwork, building, bicycle repair, shoe repair and car repair. No garden tools are accepted.

    For more information visit www.thame.rotary1090.org or www.facebook.com/thamerotary

  • Thame Rotary teams up with local businesses to support good causes

    THAME and District Rotary’s Business in the Community Scheme which involves volunteers from local businesses joining employees from other companies and undertaking community projects, is under way for 2019.
    Enthusiastic volunteer decorators at Thomley – Photo by John Singer
    The scheme was initiated last year when Kubota Ltd, Lightfoots Solicitors, Lucy Electric Ltd, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, Richardsons Chartered Accountants and Waitrose all agreed to participate. This year all these companies have agreed to participate once again. Additionally, Farol Ltd and Le Manoir joined the scheme this year. The first project undertaken was at Thame Citizens Advice offices when its two reception rooms and an office were redecorated. The work was undertaken by an energetic team of eight employees from Farol Ltd, Lightfoot’s Solicitors, The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa, and Waitrose. This included preparation, emulsion painting of the walls and ceilings and gloss painting the wood work. Liz Johnson, Manager Thame Citizens Advice, said: “We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the Rotary Club of Thame and the volunteers from local businesses who worked so hard on this project. They have transformed the reception areas and one of the client meeting rooms to make them bright, clean and welcoming for our visitors and for the volunteers who work here. We were delighted to be able to benefit from this initiative which enabled us to greatly improve our public areas without diverting funds away from client facing services.” Ali Anning, HR Business Partner, Farol Ltd said “Farol are thrilled to have joined the ‘Business in the Community’ initiative this year – it is great to be involved in such a scheme. Our first volunteers really enjoyed the days they spent on their projects and we look forward to helping again soon.” The second project was undertaken at Thomley, when another team of enthusiastic volunteers from Farol Ltd, Le Manoir, Lightfoots Solicitors, Richardsons Chartered Accountants, and Waitrose carried out work on the reception areas and offices. This also included preparation of walls and ceilings, emulsion painting and gloss painting of the woodwork. Denise Kemp spent a day at Thomley. She said: “I was pleased to be able to help out as part of the volunteer programme by The Rotary Club. The facilities at Thomley are really fantastic and it was great to learn more about what they do. I was part of the team that helped in the decorating of some of the offices and general areas, the other volunteers were a great bunch of people and although we worked hard to get the job finished, we had a great day.  It really was an absolute pleasure to have helped those that do so much.” Jackie Slocombe, HR & L&D Manager added: “At Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, we have established important values that all of our employees aspire to on a daily basis, including Care, Confidence, Curiosity and Community. It is therefore important to us that we establish positive connections with our communities and give back what we can, when we can. “The Rotary Club has given us an incredible opportunity to truly live out these values, and it enables our employees to take some time away from their busy working lives and make a difference in a very special way. We look forward to a continued partnership with The Rotary Club and our local communities. “The financial value of these first two projects is estimated at approximately £3,000. The Rotary Club of Thame and District and the participating companies are extremely grateful to generosity of Brewers in Aylesbury for donating all of the paint materials and equipment required for the work in Citizens Advice and Thomley.” John Singer of Thame and District Rotary added: “The programme seems to have appealed again to companies and employees alike and it’s clearly benefitting the community. The local businesses have been most generous by allowing their employees to participate in the scheme. I have found it remarkable how enthusiastic the volunteers have been to support this community work.” John concluded:” This is another example of how Rotary and Businesses, working together, can make things happen and we intend that this will be a regular event.” To find out on how to get involved with Rotary Club of Thame & District projects or to join the club, visitwww.thame.rotary1090.org and www.facebook.com/thamerotary