Category: Thame news

After keeping a wary eye on the weather all the previous week, the organisers of this year?s Thame Carnival were able to heave a great sigh of relief on Saturday, when, despite strong winds, the rain stayed away all afternoon!

Hundreds of people lined the streets well in advance of a parade full of enough colour and joyous sound to wash away the long, grey days of recent weeks. Led by the local fire engine and fire officers spraying the yelping crowd with their hoses, came float after float throbbing with the music of the Disco era, carrying dancers and waving people of all ages, all dressed up in big, curly wigs, Bell bottom trousers, medallions and other fashions of the day.

The judges selected The Black Horse pub float as the deserved winners of the Carnival Cup, but so impressed were they with all the primary school walking entries, that each was presented with a special certificate of commendation. Who could forget the great sea of red and gold as Barley Hill school passed by, and the John Hampden school?s giant-sized John Travolta pulled along on a trolley, with Head teacher Alan Haig in White suit, black permed wig and droopy, 60’s style moustache showing off his dance moves and exhorting the crowd to join in.

Down on the recreation ground afterwards, there were fairground rides, a mega slide, football challenge, dog show, food stalls, ice cream van, beer tent, climbing wall, bouncy casle, face painting, raffles, tug-of-war, belly dancing, drama display from Stagecoach and dozens of other stalls and games to keep the whole family happy all afternoon.

The live music stage included acts by St Joseph?s Disco Choir, Empire Band, Brill Tones, The Band With No Name, The Connection, Band, Dj-Arnie and the DJ for the dance competition was Thame?s very own, Kristian Winslade.

Nineties DJ legend, Brandon Block showed how he could still mix a mean set. His many claims to fame include “You Should Be…” a remix of ‘You Should Be Dancing’ by the Bee Gees, which reached number three in the UK Singles Chart in January, 1999.

Mark, the Manager at Brothers Hair Salon on Thame, led this year’s Carnival committee once again. He told ThameNews.Net today: “I thought the parade was amazing – even better than last year and it was so amazing to see such huge crowds turn up, despite the hurricane winds! A few stall holders decide not to come because of the weather but still we had lots more for people to do this year. The bands were great, the dog show was brilliant and the fitness displays were terrific.

“Hopefully we can continue to grow this event and we anticipate that we have raised more money than last year for local charities. Apart from one rude email from someone who seemed to blame me for the wind damaging her tent and losing her money, my view is the event was a massive success!”

PHOTOS; More carnival pictures here:LINK

BARLEY Hill Primary school in Thame, has been celebrating an extraordinary achievement by one of its teachers. For the last 20 years, Mrs Sue Boyle, a year one teacher, has been raising thousands of pounds for the school?s PTA by running Quiz nights.

PTA Chair, Sue Bishop, said: “The effort Mrs Boyle puts into the Quiz nights is phenomenal. The school hall is always packed with teams and it?s a fantastic night.

“She has probably raised about fifteen thousand pounds for the school which has been spent on building ponds, veggie patches, playground equipment and resources for the new Forest School. The parents are so grateful that she raises money to make our school better.?

Sue was in action last night at the Black Horse pub in Thame, where she was in charge of the Thame Festival Quiz. The winners were: G’nos! (aka Girls Night Out)with 177 points, 2nd were the Thame Carvial Committee team with 165 points, and 3rd was Norfok ‘N Chance with 162 points.

BARLEY Hill Primary school in Thame, has been celebrating an extraordinary achievement by one of its teachers. For the last 20 years, Mrs Sue Boyle, a year one teacher, has been raising thousands of pounds for the school?s PTA by running Quiz nights.

PTA Chair, Sue Bishop, said: “The effort Mrs Boyle puts into the Quiz nights is phenomenal. The school hall is always packed with teams and it?s a fantastic night.

“She has probably raised about fifteen thousand pounds for the school which has been spent on building ponds, veggie patches, playground equipment and resources for the new Forest School. The parents are so grateful that she raises money to make our school better.?

Sue was in action last night at the Black Horse pub in Thame, where she was in charge of the Thame Festival Quiz. The winners were: G’nos! (aka Girls Night Out)with 177 points, 2nd were the Thame Carvial Committee team with 165 points, and 3rd was Norfok ‘N Chance with 162 points.

FOLLOWING days of heavy rain recently, The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert for the River Thame from Marsworth to Dorchester including, Long Marston, Rowsham, Cuddington, Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Wheatley, Drayton St Leonard and Overy, and also the Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.

The river and flooding forecast is as follows; Water levels on the River Thame are rising in response to the rainfall earlier today. Water is expected to spill out into the floodplain in the Aylesbury and Thame Bridge areas later on this afternoon.

No property flooding is currently expected. The weather forecast is for the rain to become lighter and more showery during the afternoon and evening with potentially heavy showers in places. Further light rain is expected on Tuesday.

15:46 on 11 Jun 2012

Floodline:Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188, select option 1 and enter Quickdial number 171115 to get more information

PHOTO: Flash back to three year’s ago when homes and gardens in Cedar Crescent, Thame, were flooded when a ditch serving the Cuttlebrook, overflowed after heaving rain. LINK

FOLLOWING days of heavy rain recently, The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert for the River Thame from Marsworth to Dorchester including, Long Marston, Rowsham, Cuddington, Thame, Shabbington, Ickford, Waterperry, Wheatley, Drayton St Leonard and Overy, and also the Chalgrove Brook at Chalgrove and Stadhampton.

The river and flooding forecast is as follows; Water levels on the River Thame are rising in response to the rainfall earlier today. Water is expected to spill out into the floodplain in the Aylesbury and Thame Bridge areas later on this afternoon.

No property flooding is currently expected. The weather forecast is for the rain to become lighter and more showery during the afternoon and evening with potentially heavy showers in places. Further light rain is expected on Tuesday.

15:46 on 11 Jun 2012

Floodline:Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188, select option 1 and enter Quickdial number 171115 to get more information

PHOTO: Flash back to three year’s ago when homes and gardens in Cedar Crescent, Thame, were flooded when a ditch serving the Cuttlebrook, overflowed after heaving rain. LINK

HUNDRED of local people and fans from far and wide, gathered in the centre of Thame this afternoon to pay their last respects to music legend, Robin Gibb who was laid to rest in the town today.

As the white, glass-sided carriage passed by, drawn by four black, plumed horses, people gazed at the coffin containing Robin’s remains, draped at one end with the red flag of his place of birth, the Isle of Man.

Several fans stepped off the pavement and threw red and white roses at the carriage and one grief-stricken woman rushed forward to touch Robin’s two Wolf hound dogs before being gently led away by friends.

Along with members of his family, including brother Barry, wife Dwina and sons Robin John and Spencer, and daughter, Melissa, Robin’s mother, now in her 90s witnessed the burial of her third son. During the service, Spencer and Melissa read tributes to their father, as did his surviving brother Barry and Dwina read a poem she had written specially called ‘My Songbird Has Flown’.

Here are the words:

‘My songbird has flown and the world sighs.
‘The gentle mouthpiece of his immortal muse has gone
‘And no music can be heard that is sweeter than the language of his love,
‘No diamond is more precious than the memory of the twinkling in his eyes,
‘And no treasure in the lands will replace his happy smile.

‘My songbird has flown and the world sighs.
‘And if I were to paint a third of what I feel,
‘A masterpiece would be yours
‘To have and to hold and hang upon you wall.
‘If I were to write the the words that spill from my heart, tomes and volumes would make your library wide and tall.

‘If I were to sing songs of praise for him, Saints would rise to make a chorus fit to please angel heralds.
‘And if I were to make music for his gentle ear, celestial harmonies would dance in all the worlds.

‘And so no more, his voice now stilled but never gone.
‘A depth of silence reigns where once he had his say.
‘The veil of night has fallen
‘But a dawn of the divine will rise for a new day.

‘My songbird has flown and my soul sighs – but he will never go away.’

Around 200 other invited guests attended Robin’s private funeral service at St Mary’s Church, Thame, including many representatives from the world of show business, and other friends. Peter Andre, who appeared in a TV documentary about Thame Carnival last year with Robin, was there, as well as Mark Knopfler, Sir Tim Rice, DJ Mike Read, Paul Gambuccini, veteran actor, Leslie Phillips, Actress Susan George and Yuri Geller among others.

The pallbearers were Robin’s sons RJ and Spencer, together with Stevie Gibb, Barry’s son and Steven Murphy, Dwina’s son.

Young air cadets from 594 Squadron in Thame, formed a guard of honour as Robin’s coffin was carried from out of the side door of the church to the grave side for burial. Two years ago, a bond between them and Robin had been formed when he officially opened their new HQ in Windmill Road, Thame,

Wreaths at the grave side included a treble clef and music notes formed of red roses, each with a personal note from family members.

Though it was very windy, thankfully, the rain kept off and there was a glimmer of sunshine during Robin’s interment.

Once the illustrious guests, the fans and well-wishers, the TV Outside Broadcast vans and all the paparazzi had gone away, Thame was able to return to normal life. But the town will never be quite the same again without its very own resident mega star, who leaves behind a musical legacy that will live on for generations.

As a banner hanging in the window of the Italian restaurant in the town, Mia Capri said: “Ciao Robin.”

PHOTO: Copyright https://www.thame.net – Dwina Gibb with son, Robin-John walk from the church back to their home, The Prebendal, after the funeral today. MORE: Memorable moments slideshow LINK

DESPITE the rain that fell for most of the weekend, the people of Thame were undaunted, and determined to make their celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee something really special and memorable.

Pupils, parents and staff at Barley Hill School kicked off the weekend with a whole school picnic and celebration, which included music, dancing and entertainment from each year group. Luckily, the weather was kind and the flag-waving and jollity was finally crowned with, what has become the traditional finale of Barley Hill events, the teachers on stage singing a song to entertain the children.

Thame’s St Joseph’s Primary School’s, Jubilee celebrations were also held on Friday (01/06) with the whole school dressed in red, white and blue outfits, taking part in Jubilee themed cooking, art and music activities. (Pupil, Lucia – picture right)

The afternoon ended with the National Anthem, a screening of Gary Barlow’s Commonwealth ‘Sing’ video and a whole school ‘flash mob’ dance to ‘Doh Ray Me’.

On Saturday evening (02/06), 21 teams of eight pitted their knowledge against each other at the Jubilee Quiz held in St Mary’s Church, Thame, entering into the spirit of the occasion by dressing in true Jubilee style and decorating their tables in patriotic style. The Queen of Quizmasters, Sue Boyle, dressed in a remarkable Union Jack printed long robe, was in charge, creating, in her own, inimitable way, an occasion full of fun with props and audience participation, with question rounds with a jubilee theme. Every time they heard the National Anthem, teams were encouraged to stand up and cheer and wave, in a bid to become the most loyal team!

Because of the rain, the Community picnic, planned for Saturday in Elms Park by the event co-ordinators, the Cornerstone Church, transferred to inside John Hampden School where up to 200 people throughout the day threw themselves into the traditional games and activities such as a tug of war, relay egg and spoon race and, not so traditional, a ‘Walk like a Queen’ competition! This involved walking a distance of three yards with a book on your head, turning around, sitting on a chair, standing up and going back again, giving a royal wave on the way! Young Ben Hopcraft was the eventual winner after several heats, for walking like a king, obviously.

During the afternoon an indoor football tournament kept the children busy and the adults took part in a Jubilee themed quiz, which was won by a team from Barley Hill Church. At 3pm, everything stopped for afternoon tea and slice from a one metre high, three tiered Jubilee cake baked by Jude Brown, a Thame lady now famous for her spectacular cakes. Christie Paver, aged 9, was crowned Jubilee Queen.

At the end of the afternoon, there was a very hearty rendition of The National Anthem, which was recorded by BBC Oxford and later broadcast along with several interviews recorded throughout the afternoon.

The Cornerstone Church also ran a cake competition which was won by John and Tess Hobson.

Several Thame communities, like those residents of Hunt Road, doggedly carried on with their street party, sheltering in open garages or under marquees to protect some wonderful homemade hats from the rain.

In the nearby village of Moreton, residents here too illustrated the great British tradition of carrying on regardless. Over 130 people sat around tables behind the newly painted village war memorial.

Afternoon tea at 4pm reflected the era with cucumber sandwiches, sausages and cheese straws. Cakes galore included rock cakes and jam tarts. Tea was served in cups and saucers along with traditional soft drinks like cream soda and dandelion and burdock. The festivities included a cake competition for both adults and children (judged by ‘Prince Philip’) and traditional games included splat the rat. Every child was given a souvenir coin to take home at the end of the day. as well. Thoughout the day a Big band played music from the six decades of the Queen’s rule.

Moreton’s celebrations continued into the evening with a showing of the Jubilee concert from The Mall on a big screen in a barn, with a supper of pork Baps with beer and wine.

Thame Market Traders held their annual Fun Day on Tuesday to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee. Local groups and charities had stalls, the Mix 96 FM Mega Slide was there and the Town Crier kept everyone’s spirits up!

DESPITE the rain that fell for most of the weekend, the people of Thame were undaunted, and determined to make their celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee something really special and memorable.

Pupils, parents and staff at Barley Hill School kicked off the weekend with a whole school picnic and celebration, which included music, dancing and entertainment from each year group. Luckily, the weather was kind and the flag-waving and jollity was finally crowned with, what has become the traditional finale of Barley Hill events, the teachers on stage singing a song to entertain the children.

Thame’s St Joseph’s Primary School’s, Jubilee celebrations were also held on Friday (01/06) with the whole school dressed in red, white and blue outfits, taking part in Jubilee themed cooking, art and music activities. (Pupil, Lucia – picture right)

The afternoon ended with the National Anthem, a screening of Gary Barlow’s Commonwealth ‘Sing’ video and a whole school ‘flash mob’ dance to ‘Doh Ray Me’.

On Saturday evening (02/06), 21 teams of eight pitted their knowledge against each other at the Jubilee Quiz held in St Mary’s Church, Thame, entering into the spirit of the occasion by dressing in true Jubilee style and decorating their tables in patriotic style. The Queen of Quizmasters, Sue Boyle, dressed in a remarkable Union Jack printed long robe, was in charge, creating, in her own, inimitable way, an occasion full of fun with props and audience participation, with question rounds with a jubilee theme. Every time they heard the National Anthem, teams were encouraged to stand up and cheer and wave, in a bid to become the most loyal team!

Because of the rain, the Community picnic, planned for Saturday in Elms Park by the event co-ordinators, the Cornerstone Church, transferred to inside John Hampden School where up to 200 people throughout the day threw themselves into the traditional games and activities such as a tug of war, relay egg and spoon race and, not so traditional, a ‘Walk like a Queen’ competition! This involved walking a distance of three yards with a book on your head, turning around, sitting on a chair, standing up and going back again, giving a royal wave on the way! Young Ben Hopcraft was the eventual winner after several heats, for walking like a king, obviously.

During the afternoon an indoor football tournament kept the children busy and the adults took part in a Jubilee themed quiz, which was won by a team from Barley Hill Church. At 3pm, everything stopped for afternoon tea and slice from a one metre high, three tiered Jubilee cake baked by Jude Brown, a Thame lady now famous for her spectacular cakes. Christie Paver, aged 9, was crowned Jubilee Queen.

At the end of the afternoon, there was a very hearty rendition of The National Anthem, which was recorded by BBC Oxford and later broadcast along with several interviews recorded throughout the afternoon.

The Cornerstone Church also ran a cake competition which was won by John and Tess Hobson.

Several Thame communities, like those residents of Hunt Road, doggedly carried on with their street party, sheltering in open garages or under marquees to protect some wonderful homemade hats from the rain.

In the nearby village of Moreton, residents here too illustrated the great British tradition of carrying on regardless. Over 130 people sat around tables behind the newly painted village war memorial.

Afternoon tea at 4pm reflected the era with cucumber sandwiches, sausages and cheese straws. Cakes galore included rock cakes and jam tarts. Tea was served in cups and saucers along with traditional soft drinks like cream soda and dandelion and burdock. The festivities included a cake competition for both adults and children (judged by ‘Prince Philip’) and traditional games included splat the rat. Every child was given a souvenir coin to take home at the end of the day. as well. Thoughout the day a Big band played music from the six decades of the Queen’s rule.

Moreton’s celebrations continued into the evening with a showing of the Jubilee concert from The Mall on a big screen in a barn, with a supper of pork Baps with beer and wine.

Thame Market Traders held their annual Fun Day on Tuesday to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee. Local groups and charities had stalls, the Mix 96 FM Mega Slide was there and the Town Crier kept everyone’s spirits up!