Author: Sonja Francis

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.