‘Use it or lose it’ say Thame Show organisers
THE Chair of the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show has warned that 2014 could be the very last show if local people fail to turn out and support the event.
Cattle being lead around the ring Thame Show July 2011
His comments came this morning after he revealed on local radio that, after a public consultation, the show will revert back to its traditional date of the third Thursday in September for 2014.
Andrew Duffy told BBC Oxford’s Phil Gayle: “It costs £200,000 to put on the Thame Show and we cannot afford to make the losses that the show has incurred in recent years. If the people do not come, 2014 will be the last show we hold.”
The show’s date was moved to a weekend date in July, in 2010, but failed to attract the numbers needed to make the show financially viable. The very hot weather and conflicting events on the same date were blamed for people keeping away in July this year.
21/10/13
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I have lived in Thame all my life and moving Thame show to earlier in the year is just wrong!! I think the ticket prices are the reason also why people can’t go nothing to do with the weather! I know for a fact I would take my little family if it was more affordable move back to Septemeber where it belongs and always has been is great but make it like the old days and bring back the original and loved format!
Well done to the organisers to let common sense and the will of the townspeople prevail by putting the show back to where it belongs in September. Nobody can predict the weather these days, especially the summers, so it was a small wonder that attendance at this year’s dropped on one of the hottest days this year.
At least in September, the weather is a little more consistent and you can prepare for the cooler weather. Farmers have finished tending to the fields and fruits have ripened and been turned into all manner of goods.
Innovation seems to be a bit of a dirty word, particularly when it comes to challenging the status quo. I have an idea that may breathe some life back into the show and foster better links with the independent retailers of Thame.
What I propose is that we reproduce what is good about Thame town centre and create a ‘Little High Street’ that will form the spine of all the market stalls. I will write a letter and try to get feedback from our retailers to see if it is worth approaching the organisers with this proposal.
What I hope this will achieve is to take advantage of the thousands of people, both local and from further afield to get a taste of what Thame has to offer when the Show is not on. Pitch rates would have to be reasonable and if we gather momentum now, it will give retailers time to prepare for it. Before you brush aside or rubbish my idea, fish and chip shops can get portable fryers, pubs can get portable pumps and estate agents only need a display and a desk. Should some of the higher value items stores or chains wish to participate, if you can’t afford mobile card payments, you can always use your mobile phone and get a card payment put through back at the shop in town.
Rather than grumble about the show taking trade away from the town centre, let’s be proactive and be part of the show. This used to happen years ago, so when people talk about how reinstating what used to go on, why not think back a little further, as it was in the Fifties?
Doing away with the moratorium on catering was one of the best moves yet, encouraging smaller local food retailers and breweries to attend. Yes, by all means bring back the beer tent, but make it communal ground that doubles as shelter from the elements.
By representing the town centre at the showground, not only will it fill all the stalls up and make the show bigger and better, it will keep some money in the town with people from all walks spending money at local stalls. If people agree with me, then I am happy to lead a quiet revolution!
Flabbergasted that the organisers blame the warm weather for deterring people; if it was raining you can bet they would be saying the exact same thing!
It doesn’t take an Alan Sugar to know the problem lies with the admission prices, which are nothing short of extortionate.
Excellent news that the show is to revert back to its traditional date. But you will have to also bring back the traditional format as well. with Beer tent, catering tent lots more trade stalls and exhibits – like it used to be. If it is anything like last years, then I agree that it should be the last one, as I certainly will not support it beyond 2014 A tradition of Thame that has been ruined. Also – watch the pricing. Families cannot afford the costs you imposed and therefore as much as they would like to come, just cannot justify the expense to do so. My niece with 3 children, would have cost her more than £60.00 for a show that took an hour to walk around.
Glad show back in September next year.
I suggest the committee plan a proper AGRICULTURAL show like 3 Counties at Malvern or Newbury, animals and not all stalls.