JUNE 24, 2018 marks the 375th anniversary of the death of John Hampden, who died of his wounds received at the Battle of Chalgrove Field six days earlier.
The John Hampden regiment head up Thame Carnival in 1997
To mark Hampden’s life, the John Hampden Society will lay a wreath at the memorial plaque beside Hampden House, Thame (at the entrance to Greyhound Walk on the wall to the right) where the man known to history as ‘The Patriot’ died.
The wreath will be laid by the Society’s Patron, Miles Hobart-Hampden, 10th Earl of Buckinghamshire, who is a direct descendant of John Hampden. Lord Buckinghamshire will be repeating his action of exactly 25 years earlier, when he also laid a wreath at the same spot in the presence of over 400 spectators as a part of the newly-formed John Hampden Society’s first public event.
Bishop Dick Watson, former Bishop of Oxford, officiating at the original ceremony in 1993
Also attending this year’s ceremony will be the Mayor of Thame, Councillor Ann Midwinter, and members of the Executive Committee of the John Hampden Society.
Details and black-and white pictures of the original event 25 years ago can be seen at: http://www.johnhampden.org/…/uplo…/2016/07/Patriot_No.03.pdf
THAME’S weekly market has completed a month of special activities to celebrate ‘Love your Local Market’, a national initiative to promote markets, and has been hailed a success by the market traders.
Children making vegetable monsters at Thame Market
Thame Town Council, and Thame Farmers Market joined the main market on the second Tuesday of each month, with a host of fun activities for Thame shoppers to get involved in. These included live music from Simon Markland and a draw to win tickets to Music In the Park, Story Telling with Usborne Books, the opportunity to take a ‘selfie’ with ‘Prine Harry’ the week before the Royal wedding, a photo exhibition of picture taken of the market circa 1900 and last Tuesday, May 29, fun for the children on half-term, hosted by Creation Station.
Chris Hurdman, Secretary of the Thame Market Traders Co-operative
Thame Market traders’ spokesman, Chris Hurdman, told Thame.Net: “We’ve had a wonderful month of “Love your local market “ events. There’s has been a real buzz around the market and I’ve had great comments from the public who have appreciated all the effort the market traders, Thame Town Council and the Farmers Market have put into the event. I have to thank the town council for both the support and pulling out all the stops in helping us making ‘Love your Local Market’ month a great one, and all the families and visitors who came along to support us.”
MORE PICTURES on Thame Market Traders facebook page HERE
SOMETHING a little different will be featured at the next edition of Thame’s First Thursday Music Club on June 7, at The Stables behind the James Figg pub. The Boodlum Band, as seen most recently at Music In the Park in Thame, with their quirky style of musical chaos will be appearing.
Describing themselves as the ‘oldest boy band in the business’ gives you the idea of their zany humour. But be assured these highly talented musicians provide top quality music generously laced with laughter all the way. The Boodlum Band will be on stage around 9.30pm.
As always, FTMC promises an eclectic night of music and, in addition to the Boodlums, other acts including Mikes group Therapy, Eliie Ruddock, Bluejay, Steve Liddell and Mojo are already booked to appear.
The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience, maintaining the ‘Open Mic’ section of the evening where slots will always be available in the first hour on a ‘first come-first served’ basis with player sign-up by 7.30pm. The club has a full house PA system with keyboard, bass amp, guitar amp and jazz drum kit (bring breakables!) all set up on stage and ready to go.
Another eclectic evening is guaranteed and, don’t forget, it’s FREE entry!
THE provision of a bus stop opposite the Health Centre in East Street, Thame, has been delayed, following a complaint from a near-by house-holder.
280 buses in Park Street. Thame. Image courtesy of Poppy Gunn
The planned bus stop is part of servicing the recent new routing of the Arriva 280 and X8 between Thame Park and the town centre, launched in January 2018.
In other travel news, after representations by Thame Town Council and the East Thame Residents Association, the Kingsey Road roundabout in Thame, is to be fitted with reflective lights, in an attempt to improve safety there.
Two years ago, in the space of just a few weeks, there were four accidents at the roundabout, including one where a driver suffered a heart-attack and drove his vehicle straight through a brick wall into the garden and on into the wall of a house whose rear garden faces the spot.
The scene of one of the four crashes at the Kingsey Road roundabout, Thame
How will do you know what Thame has to offer residents and visitors?
A recent Customer Survey carried out by Thame’s Market Town Co-ordinator, Becky Reid, showed that there was a need to improve publicity of what the town had to offer as many people did not seem to know. So, here goes! (There follows a short plug for the wide range of information available on the the Thame.net website, in addition to local news)
If there’s anything else that you would like Thame.Net to include that you think would be useful for both residents and visitors, do email: editor@thame.net with your suggestions. Also, it’s difficult to keep information current in an ever changing and expanding town like Thame, so please do let us know if you spot anything that needs updating, adding or removing.
THAME Swimming Club has held its first ever Junior Development Meet. Young swimmers – 126 of them – aged between 8 – 12 years-old, attended from five clubs – Thame, Witney, Bicester, Newport Pagnell and Didcot.
The meet consisted of five events, a 50m freestyle, a 50m Backstroke, a 50m Breaststroke, a 50m Butterfly and a 100m Individual Medley, accumulating in nearly 500 individual entries.
Club spokesperson, Will Hard, explained: “The meet was designed to give the younger swimmers a chance to compete against swimmers from other clubs and give them valuable experience for the future. There were many impressive swims with nearly all the swimmers achieving a least one (if not several) personal best times.
“Thame Swimming Club would like to thank all those who made this event possible including all the Volunteers and Officials who gave up their valuable time, Thame Leisure Centre for hosting the event and Sundance Pools the Club’s sponsor. We’re already looking forward to planning our next event.”
A disappointing day for Thame CC first team – THAME 1st XI travelled to High Wycombe on Saturday, May 19. Fielding first, Thame found the going tough, as young Wycombe opener Edmund Casterton compiled a fine hundred. Despite struggling to make breakthroughs, Thame worked hard to stay in the game and kept the hosts to 266-4. In reply, the fragility of Thame’s top-order was again exposed. James Adams again showed glimpses of his talent whilst top scoring with 28 but, when he ran out of partners, Thame were still well short on 126 all out. Thame look to bounce back this Saturday, at home, against Slough.
Matt Furness
Thame seconds make it three-from-three – THAME 2nd XI welcomed Long Marston to Church Meadow and, batting first, got off to a quick start through Richard Carr (53). A classy knock from skipper Matt Furness (144*) then anchored Thame’s innings with great support from Dave Saunders (85, retired hurt) and Jack Aston (29*). This left Thame firmly in the driving seat with 357 runs for only 2 wickets from their 50 overs. Needing over 7 runs per over, Long Marston started quickly and a knock of 152 from Hamish Sim kept a chance of victory alive. Regular wickets from Matt Ridgway (2-69), Dan Patey (3-42) and George Patey (3-50) meant that Long Marston were always just behind the rate required however and Thame secured the win by bowling them out for 317, putting them at the top of Division Foue. They seek their fourth consecutive win away at newcomers Charlbury this Saturday.
Third XI get their season back on track with a ten-wicket win – FOLLOWING the frustration of being halted by the rain on May 12, Thame thirds went to Bledlow Ridge on Saturday May 19, in confident mood. With Tomlin (7-2-15-2) and Nick Humphries (11-2-26-2) squeezing the top order, Bledlow Ridge looked unlikely to reach 100 but H. Ahmed then chanced his arm and cut loose for 37 quick runs. It was left to Ben Warwick (10.4-4-24-4) and Ian McStay (5-1-12-1) to restore order and dismiss the hosts for 114 in the 37th over. After tea, Thame 3rds set off at a canter, with Christian Warwick leading the way, supported by Andy Jinman, Thame had reached 73-0 in just 10 overs. Warwick soon reached the half-century and they finished at 115-0, from 16.4 overs, with 66 and 39 respectively.
Thame fourth XI frustrated by Minster Lovell thirds forfeiting the game – THE fourths picked up 25 points after Minster Lovell thirds forfeited the game. They were due to travel to Bicester & North Oxford last Saturday, May 26.
Women’s team win against Cookham – their first win in a hardball friendly! THAME Women faced Cookham Dean in a friendly and winning the toss, batted first. Thame rallied after an early setback, through Bridget Cooper (34) and Sarah Sanderson (28). Cookham bowled well but Mel White’s superb 35 with Sally Surman (19*) and Jess Clarke (8*) brought Thame up to 176. When Cookham batted, Sanderson (3-24) made the perfect start, taking two wickets off her first two balls of the innings! Several good partnerships meant Cookham’s runs were building, before Lina Budde-Manning’s 2-22 pegged them back. Smart death bowling from Claire Morris (1-14) and Sally Surman, restricted Cookham to 161-7, as Thame won by 15 runs.
THE uncertainty of longer term funding for the Thame and District Day Centre means that it is going to have to rely on fundraising and donations, and now, this much valued Thame facility has joined the South Oxfordshire Lottery.
Alison Champken Woods, Chair of the Trustees, explained: “The Thame & District Day Centre is now in its 32nd year thanks to the commitment of staff, volunteers and drivers as without them the service could not continue. We do get some funding from the County Council and the Town Council and we have recently increased the cost for members to £12.50 per day in order to cover our rent.
“Anyone who would like to support the Day Centre can purchase a Lottery ticket for a £1 and will be asked to nominate a charity. Then, the day centre and the ticket holder will be entered into a draw with the opportunity to win £25,000. LINK HERE for details
Who attends the day centre?
Members come from a variety of backgrounds and are of varying ages and the day centre offers the opportunity to socialise, make new friends and renew old friendships. It is based on the Community Hub site at the cottage hospital in East Street, and is open three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 3pm.
“We provide a caring and sociable environment which helps to support and provide independence for the elderly of Thame and the surrounding area.” continued Alison. We provide tea/coffee, accompanied by a variety of puzzles – the men like to play dominoes! We offer a two-course hot lunch and entertainment in the afternoons. Throughout the year there a number of outings and we now have ‘Creation Station’ visiting us once a month where the older generation can interact with pre-school aged children and their parents. This allows the children and the members to be creative with paints, glue, feathers etc. and become terribly messy, but it’s great fun for all.”
If you know someone who would benefit from the service the Thame and District Day Centre offers, contact: Gill Coleman on 01844 212080 or email: info@thameanddistrictdaycentre.co.uk or download an application form the ‘Joining Us’ page on the TDDC website: www.thameanddistrictdaycentre.co.uk
THIS Oscar-winning film is Directed by Martin McDonagh, and stars Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson. It has a 15 certification and lasts 115 minutes. – Synopsis:
SMALL town Ebbing Missouri is, like lots of similar places, a place where people live with misogyny, racism and violence both public and private. But Frances McDormand ‘s Mildred Hayes has had enough. Months after the savage rape and murder of her daughter, no one has been arrested. In an attempt to shame the local police force into action, Mildred rents the titular three billboards and emblazons across them a frank challenge to local chief of police, Harrelson’s Bill Willoughby, calling him out to account for the ineptitude and complacency of officialdom.
Some have described this as a comedy in the same vein as McDonagh’s earlier film, In Bruges. But this is not really played for laughs – there is plenty of black humour but it is a much sadder, more rueful and somehow much more tender film; a contemplation of the terrible consequences of guilt and bitterness and anger and the loneliness of one person’s appalling loss that no one else can share.
Mildred is an unforgettable character, fierce and brilliant, intimidating and fearless but also broken and vulnerable, and McDormand is simply magnificent. So too is Rockwell who also bagged an Oscar for his portrayal of a deeply flawed man struggling to deal with the consequences of his own hatred and rage. One that will stay with you. View trailer HERE
This Saturday, June 2, 8pm – Thame Players theatre, Thame. Tickets are available on the door or online- Click HERE
THE following road closures will be in operation in and around Thame during June: B4445 between Emmington and Towersey – Road closed from 4 to 8 June to facilitate surface dressing works by Oxfordshire County Council.
A40 between Postcode and Tetsworth – Road closed from 4 to 8 June to facilitate surface dressing works by Oxfordshire County Council.
Information, including diversion routes which come around Thame, on the above road closures can be found at roadworks.org. Oxfordshire County Council are apparently aware of the conflicting road diversions and it is understood that the works will be executed one after the other.
Thame 10k Race – Sunday 24 June
Between 9:25am and 9:45am, the Oxford Road from High Street roundabout to the A418 roundabout will be closed.
Between 9:30am and 10:30am, the B4012 Thame Eastern Bypass between its junctions with the A4129 Kingsey Road roundabout and B4445 Chinnor Road, will be closed.
ONLY seven weeks before Thame Town Music Festival and Convention 2018 transforms the town centre into a buzzing, vibrant gathering of musicians and music fans, and venues open their doors on the day when some of the best local performers (and some from further afield), ever to be found in the OX9 post code area at the same time arrive!
TTMF18 is a free town centre music festival and so there are no tickets, except for the convention events which require advance registration.
Tickets
Advance discounted tickets are now for sale from Thame Town Hall, Thame Barns Centre, Vintage & Modern Guitars (in The Shambles, beside The Bird Cage Pub) and The Bookhouse in the High Street, for the following new additions to this year’s Thame Town Music Festival:
Classical Concert at St Mary’s Church – Friday 13 July, 7pm (£10)
Songwriters’ Competition at Thame Barns Centre – Friday 13 July, 7:30pm-10:30pm (£10)
Convention at Thame Barns Centre – Saturday 14 July, 12:30pm – 9pm (£20)
The above prices are for tickets purchased before Friday, June 1. Tickets can also be purchased from www.wegottickets.com, where a booking fee applies. The main Thame Town Music Festival activities on Saturday, July 14, will be free, as per last year. More information is available at www.thametownmusicfestival.org.
The Classical Concert
Jack Gibbons
The classical concert is to be in St. Mary’s Church with a programme that will range from Bach to Broadway via Chopin, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Puccini to Gershwin, Cole Porter and more. The highlights of the evening will undoubtedly be internationally renowned soprano, Ann MacKay, and world class piano phenomenon, Jack Gibbons. More information about them on the TTMF18 website HERE
The Convention
The convention is aimed at Career musicians, amateur/semi-professional, unsigned musicians, music businesses and those with an interest in and passion for greater insight and knowledge of the music business, and will be hosted by Tom Robinson, singer and BBC Radio 6 Music broadcaster and leading advocate of new music. More information about the Convention HERE
Attention Song-writers!
As part of the TTMF mission to help unsigned musicians and performers bring their music to a wider audience and to showcase and support new talent, this year they have included the TTMF songwriters’ competition sponsored by Christopher Ward (London) Limited. Songwriters are being invited via the TTMF website, social media and general marketing to submit original compositions as YouTube videos of a live performance of the song to the TTMF website.
The top 10 selected song submissions will be performed by the original artist in front of a live audience and panel of judges comprising music industry experts and the winner will be able to perform the song on the Festival main stage on July 14, and will receive corporate and financial support from the sponsor Christopher Ward Limited. More details about the song-writing competition HERE
The Line-up
The line-up for Saturday’s free festival – A ‘ Party with a Purpose‘- in Thame town centre will include a range of genres, including Bluegrass, Rock n Roll, Country, Folk and Americana and, topping the bill, will be Dr Feelgood! – Full line-up HERE
In 2017, Thame Town Music Festival saw nine venues host 58 acts with over 200 musicians attract over 8,000 visitors (Look back HERE). TTMF18 will again involve closing the roads in the town centre and will provide 10 venues including the outdoor main stage in the High Street car park, to showcase a greater number of musical performers.
We can’t wait! Click HERE to see Thame.net’s photos from Thame Town Music Festival last year.
