DUE to unforeseen circumstances Alfie Brown is now no longer able to perform this coming Friday, June 7, at the Players Theatre in Thame. But an excellent replacement has been found in the form of Rob Oldham.
Rob Oldham will be previewing his latest show ‘Worm’s Resolve’. Rob is truly an original and exciting young comic – his 2018 show was one of The Guardian’s Top Shows of the Edinburgh Fringe. Rob’s show explores being right, being wrong and getting angry. Answers will be sought, jokes will be told and an impending sense of doom will be momentarily lifted!
Winner 2017 ‘Breakthrough Comic’ at The Amused Moose Comedy Awards. As seen on BBC Three, as heard on BBC Radio 4.
So to confirm the full bill is, Tiff Stevenson and Rob Oldham. There are still a few tickets available on www.thameplayers.co.uk.
WHEN? Friday June 7, at 7.45pm STARRING: Alfie Brown: Lunatic 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. Society’s new-found fondness for moral certainty is the subject of a search and destroy mission by Brown. They were wrong all along, it turns out if you believe in something, you’ll fall for anything.
Praise for Lunatic:
‘It is tricky to write 350 sensible words when you come out of a show simply thinking ‘Wow! Wow!’
★★★★★ – The Scotsman
Appearing with Alfie, will be actor and comedian, Tiff Stevenson. She has appeared in Days That Shook the World, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Drunk History, The Apprentice: You’re Fired!, Mock the Week, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and People Just Do Nothing.
FOR the second year running, Thame Town Music Festival is delighted to present a world-class classical concert in St. Mary’s Church. Internationally acclaimed soprano Jennifer France will perform songs and arias from the world’s greatest composers including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Puccini, Schubert, Strauss, Britten and Gershwin. Jennifer is the rising star in British opera.
Jennifer studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, winning many prizes including the prestigious Patron’s Award, the Principal’s Prize, the Song Prize at the 2014 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, and Winner of the 2018 Emerging Talent (Singer) Award from the Critics Circle. She is a former Samling Scholar.
Since her solo recital debut at Wigmore Hall, Jennifer has received outstanding critical acclaim for her performances. These include her “brilliant” Ophelia in Brett Dean’s Hamlet for Glyndebourne On Tour, Her work with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and with George Benjamin at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and then at the Dutch National Opera. Jennifer made her BBC Proms debut in 2017.
In 2019 Jennifer’s performances will include Scottish Opera, English National Opera, Garsington Opera at Wormsley, the Hallé, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestraand the Britten Sinfonia. Jennifer will make her debut at the 2019 Salzburg Festival later in July. And has already been invited to perform at the 2020 Festival Présences Radio France.
Tickets £15:00 (£12.50 concessions until June 12)
Tickets are available at Thame Town Hall, The Book House and St Mary’s Church Office and on-line at:
THE doors to the 2019, Thame Arts and Literature Festival (TAL) burst open early this year to meet the expected deluge of demand as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
Victoria Hislop
The online box office lifted its shutters on June 1, 2019 – two months earlier than in previous years – and sold 700 tickets on the first day – offering a fantastic line-up of top authors, artists and performers drawn to the Oxfordshire market town by the success of what has become one of the county’s premier cultural events. This follows a record-breaking 800 online bookings taken on the first day in 2018. The Town Hall box office will open on September 1, 2019 with its own allocation of tickets for the events.
Penelope Lively
The 10th Anniversary festivities offer a huge range of events catering for all tastes. These include history, literary fiction, poetry and memoir to music, cinema, art, theatre, workshops and children’s activities for the expected 3,500 Festival goers to enjoy between October 17 – 20, 2019. Yvonne Maxwell, Festival Director, who recently received a TOSCA (Thame award for Outstanding Services to the Creative Arts) said: “It hardly seems like yesterday that we set out on this adventure and we can’t believe that this will be our 10th Festival. Each Festival is a unique experience and we love watching it come together. The support of the people in Thame is heart-warming and we love being part of the life of the town.”
Adam Kaye
Here are just some of the Festival highlights with more events to be announced shortly:
BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz is the guest speaker at a gala 10th Birthday Celebration Night featuring music, live film and surprise guests; charismatic art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon shares his passion for the Dutch master Vermeer; doctor-turned-comedian Adam Kay recounts his hilarious but at times harrowing life as a junior medic in This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor which has sold over a million copies in the UK; Britain’s leading forensic scientist, Angela Gallop, Then The Dogs Don’t Bark, reveals how she helped solve the high profile murder cases of Damilola Taylor, Stephen Lawrence and Roberto Calvi.
Alison Weir
Acclaimed historian Alison Weir discusses the much-maligned fourth wife of Henry VIII in Six Tudor Queens: Anne of Klev, Queen of Secrets; poets Michael Rosen and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Poetry Please’ presenter Roger McGough make a welcome return, and multi-award winning novelist Penelope Lively shares her love of gardening and its influence in literature from Life in the Garden.
Steph Booth talks openly about caring for her husband, actor Tony Booth on his dementia journey in Married to Alzheimer’s; journalist and historian Simon Heffer delves into the letters, diaries, and official documents behind Staring at God: Britain in the Great War, while bestselling author Victoria Hislop takes us back to her beloved Greece in her latest novel, Those Who are Loved.
The broadcaster, writer and comedienne, Perrier Award winner Natalie Haynes will be regaling the audience with her take on the classics in Troy Story.
Returning after last year’s triumph, Opera Anywhere hit the high notes with their sublime arias in Glyndebarn II; Nick Barber performs his one-man play ‘A Day in the Life of David Garrick’; Bart Van Es, winner of the 2018 Costa Book of the Year accolade, shares his grandparents’ real-life story of the sheltering of Jewish children in Nazi-occupied Holland, and on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day author and historian Steve Darlow, D-Day Bombers: The Veterans’ Story talks to the Bomber Crew that took part in the campaign.
A fun Panel comprising of the ‘slummy mummy’ blogger, Jo Middleton, with Helen Whitaker, and Clover Stroud chaired by Kerry Potter, will offer two hours of amusing yet poignant insights into parenting. Author and illustrator Yuval Zommer, The Big Book of Birds, has fun with the younger TAL audience; Thame Chamber Choir bring their divine harmonies to St. Mary’s Church, and Festival goers can enjoy the ever-popular Rumsey’s Tea Concert with an afternoon of tea, delicious cake and chamber music. In the week leading up to the Festival people are invited to experience the Art Crawl exhibitions and workshops in venues across the town.
CHINNOR residents have been out in force today, helping in the search for an 81 year-old woman from the village, who has been missing since early this morning (02/06/19.
Marieanna Fortman
Thames Valley Police is asking for the public’s help to find Marieanna Fortman, who was last seen today at around 8.30am in Wykeman Rise. She is described as white, around 5ft 5ins with a small build. She has brown/red hair that sits just above her shoulders in length. It’s understood she is wearing blue jeans and a white or burgundy jumper.
Marieanna is known to frequent the fields close to Wykeman Rise and the woods between the sports ground and the Woodway in Chinnor.
Investigating officer Inspector, Aidan Donohoe, based at Abingdon police station, said: “We would like anyone who may have seen Marieanna or knows where she could be to get in touch.
“Officers and her family are concerned about her and we would like to locate her as soon as possible.
“If you see this Marieanna, please get in contact with either your family or the police, to let us know you are safe.”
If you can help, please contact Thames Valley Police on 101 quoting reference 43190165131 or make a report online.
IN the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate Carriageway Recycling Treatment.
A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 27 August 2019.
The anticipated completion date is 30 August 2019
A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.
Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.
Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.
A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is attached.
Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton, Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.
Back-to-back wins for 1st XI – THAME 1st XI made it back-to-back wins with a strong performance at home against Wokingham. Bowling first, Thame’s opening bowlers Faisal Ali (3-18) and Jo Van Dyk (2-33) produced superb spells to reduce Wokingham to 8-3 and then 32-5. On a good wicket, Wokingham rebuilt steadily, eventually setting a below par 167.
Richard Carr who turned the game for the 2nd XI with a great century
Any concerns over the run chase appeared to have been dismissed as Thame openers Mike Beard (41) and Ollie Burland (32) reached 74-0 off just 11 overs, but their dismissals prompted a collapse to 109-4. With wickets continuing to tumble, Callum Russell was left to steer his side home with a well controlled 31*, Thame reaching their target for the loss of 6 wickets with 17 overs to spare. Thame host Oxford Downs this Saturday.
Second XI make it 3-from-3 despite collapse at Great Brickhill
THE 2nd XI travelled to Great Brickhill and got off to a bad start, collapsing to 43-6. Richard Carr came to the rescue with a fantastic century (101), with support from Cian Cooper-Davies (25) and Alastair Thomas (42*), achieving a defendable total of 219. In reply, Great Brickhill got off to a quick start and were always ahead of the run-rate. Each of Thame’s bowlers took wickets, however, with Jonathon Jelfs (3-51), Alastair Thomas (2-46) and Rob Johnson (2-31) the pick of them. In a tense finish, late wickets fell and Great Brickhill were bowled out 8 runs short. The 2nd XI seek to build on this perfect start to the season this Saturday, away to Stokenchurch 1sts.
Third XI bowlers set up a 9-wicket mauling of Stokenchurch away from home
AGAINST Stokenchurch 2nds, Thame 3rds chose to bowl and Rob Tomlin (1-19) and Nick Humphries (3-23) applied early pressure. Luke Hayes (2-10) then took a wicket with his first ball and later dismissing the only real threat (opener Ali). Humphries was then rewarded for his effrots with 3 wickets in 4 balls. It was left to Ian McStay to finish off the Stokenchurch innings (76 all out) by taking a hat-trick with his first 3 balls. Thame’s openers Andy Jinman (36*) and Manil Subsesinghe (36) put on 75 for the first wicket, with Pete Higson coming in to see vicotury by 9 wickets. Thame 3rds next play at home against Long Marston 3rds.
Fourths succumb to Kingston Bagpuize 2nds
THAME 4ths hosted Kingston Bagpuize 2 and, batting first, they started well before a flurry of wickets spelt trouble. However, an excellent knock from Dan Hart (36) saw Thame reach a respectable 105 all out. When the visitors batted, a few early wickets from Ed Mather (3-30) and Shay Reading gave Thame hope of an unlikely victory. Kingston Bagpuize’s opener, Stuart Edwards (37), proved impossible to shift, giving them victory for the loss of just 4 wickets. This Saturday Thame play away against Kimble 2nds.
Junior cricket
ON the junior scene, Thame’s Under-13s and Under-15s continued their winning ways against Waddesdon and Stewkley respectively.
RECENTLY, The Year Four children of John Hampden School, Thame, had the wonderful experience of being a Viking for the day – including a visit from a Lindisfarne ‘monk’ who recounted an invasion of his island by marauding Norsemen!
The children dressed in fabulous costumes, got to use a range of deadly weapons (foam based) and even took part in a terrifying raid themselves.
The day started with a visit from ‘Monk Athelstan’. He told the children about the frightening day when his monastery on Lindisfarne was invaded by the Norsemen. He told them of how they rampaged through the village stealing, plundering and burning down homes. Monk Athelstan was then taken as a slave by the brute, Ragnar Lothbrok. The children were then asked to write a diary about the events that occurred.
\one year 4 pupil proudly shows his model viking boat
The children were then taught about the different weapons that would have been used during battle. They were shown how to use these and told how to create shield walls and battle formations in order to stay alive. Having learnt this, the children were than able to use this knowledge to go and raid the Year Three classes – which certainly too the Year Three children by surprise! Their school supplies were stolen and even some children taken!
To finish the day, the children were given the opportunity to battle with each other, each child choosing a weapon and using it to combat their enemy.
“The day was a superb educational experience,” said Teacher Melanie Schleising, Chair of John Hampden School’s PFTA, “and really brought learning to life. We would like to say a great big thank you to Mr Haigh for returning to school and becoming our Monk ,and also Mr Eyre on supplying the costumes, weapons and running a brilliant day.”
WHEN? Saturday, June 1, 2019 – WHAT TIME? 8 pm – WHERE? Thame Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame. Film details: USA 2018, 119 minutes, 15 certificate. Directed by Barry Jenkins, Starring KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach.
Barry Jenkins follows his Oscar winner, Moonlight, with this sensual and tender love story, an adaptation of a novel of the same name by James Baldwin. Tish and Vonny have always known each other, but as they have grown up they fall in love. It is 1970s Harlem. Tish has just found out that she is pregnant. The two dream about making a life for themselves, with Vonny an aspiring sculptor.
They struggle to find a place to rent in a city where landlords are reluctant to take on African-American tenants. But just as life seems to be taking shape, Vonny is arrested for a crime that he didn’t commit, on the basis of unreliable testimony from a questionable – but equally marginalised – victim, set up by a racist police officer with a grudge against Vonny. Tish and the extended family of their local community must muster an appeal to get Vonny out of prison in time for the baby’s arrival. But this is a system that makes it easy to put black men in prison but very difficult to get them out, taking them off the streets and then tying them up in the interminable bureaucracies of a judicial system that has no interest in justice.
Baldwin’s novel is an examination of the enduring legacies of history in the experience of contemporary black Americans, and institutional collusion in perpetuating enslavement. But Jenkins’ film is, above all, about love. It is a tender, swooning, and intimate portrait of young love, its redemptive potential and its hopeful resilience. Layne and James are utterly captivating in the lead roles, with Oscar-winning support from a cast including Regina King as Tish’s mother, Sharon, and Teyonnah Parris as her feisty older sister, Ernestine. Gorgeous and heart-breaking. View the TRAILER HERE.
LAST Sunday (26/05) more history was made, as Thame Town Cricket Club welcomed the Oman Women’s national cricket team as part of their five-game tour of the UK – the first international opposition at Thame since the Maltese national side visited over 30 years ago!
The visitors arrived in Thame having previously taken on Wanstead CC, Hertfordshire, the CCC and the MCC as part of their tour. The tour also included a wonderful day at Lords to witness the final of the Royal London Championship Cup between Hampshire and Somerset. Having won the toss and choosing to bat the impressively-drilled Oman team showed their class by amassing an impressive 182 for 3 in their 20 overs.
Standout displays came from Jayadhanya Gunasekar (80 off 66 balls), Hina Javed (31 off 20) and captain Vaishali Jesrani (28* off 23). Sarah Gumbold and Bridget Cooper took their first international wickets. In response Thame Woman toiled against some impressive bowling, scoring 60-8 off their 20 overs. Liv Hart and Beth John performed well and Savanagh Beaumont and Lina Budde-Manning resisted well in the final 5 overs.
The Omani team management were graceful in their thanks to Thame Town CC for hosting the game in such beautiful surroundings. Thanks go to Sarah Sanderson for organising the game, to Simon Prodger (National Cricket Conference) for arranging the UK tour. Special thanks also to Sajit Kumar (Omani manager), Haider Ali (Coach) , Suresh Kumar (Trainer) and all the team for bringing such skill and vibrancy to Thame on what was a special and memorable day.
THE June edition of The First Thursday Music Club is almost here – the evening of Thursday, June 6, at The Stables behind The James Figg pub in Thame.
Deadbeat Apostles
In the build-up to the Thame Town Music Festival on July 12th/13th, FTMC has a very strong line-up that features three bands including Elemental Joe, 2am Blue and the fabulous Deadbeat Apostles.
Elemental Joe will be putting their stamp on the evening with some down and dirty blues whilst 2am Blue will be offering a more laid back, lyrical approach with sweet guitars and vocal harmonies. The Deadbeat Apostles are a six-piece outfit that takes classic country rock traditions and lovingly update them for the modern age. Helen Cuthbertson, India Yates, Simon Davies and Two Cs and One D are also pre-booked to play.
The First Thursday Music Club still offers the opportunity for artists to play live in front of a warm and appreciative audience, the club maintains 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 7.30. 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!
