Thame Celebrates Victory Day

THAME Celebrated the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War across the generations on Sunday, when hundreds of Thame families came together in hot sunshine to commemorate Victory day in 1945.
As well as a children?s fun fair, a Sherman tank and other military vehicles of the time, the High Street was lined with stalls and memorabilia from the period, including an exhibition of war-time equipment that will eventually be on show in the Thame?s new museum due to open sometime next year.
One stall gave away samples of war time recipes including suet pudding and delicious cakes made with dried egg and sweetened with carrot instead of sugar which was a rare commodity in war-time Britain; all served up by ladies in those wrap around pinnies so reminiscent of the 1940?s and 50?s.
Among the people strolling around the town centre, ex-military men and women, proudly wearing their gleaming medals and ribbons, mixed with teenagers and the very young who, having never known what it was like to live in a war-torn land, nevertheless could experience a small taste of the life their older relatives endured for almost six years.

Other contributors to the event included The Bicester Town Band, the local Air Training Corp, who put on a splendid Marching display, John Hampden school with traditional Country and Maypole Dancing, Soundforce, who played nostgalgic songs and Glen Miller tunes, and the Oxfordshire Gymnastic Club with a breathtaking display of their skills.

All the Primary school children of Thame were given a certificate to mark the occasion and on the day, many received a package of goodies donated by Waitrose and The Royal British Legion, Thame. Other costs had been met by the Lottery Fund.

Thame?s senior citizen, ex Mayor, Len Webb, who was one of the organisers, said: ?I am really delighted with the turnout and the way that the organisation has paid off. This has certainly turned out to be a very special occasion befitting a very special day and we couldn?t have hoped for better weather.?

The hot sun however did contribute to the one casualty of the day, a young St Johns Ambulance cadet who fainted during the Service, but was soon helped back to her feet by fellow Cadets and Officers.