Turning Up the Heat at Thame Players!

NO more will audiences at The Thame Players Theatre have to sit in the auditorium in coats, gloves and scarves, because from yesterday (27/11), their brand new, state of the art heating system will keep them warm and snug throughout the panto season and beyond. 

The Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, turns on the new heating system at The Players Theatre, Thame

The Mayor of Thame, Peter Lambert, officially turned on the heating and cut the celebration cake after the three main donors of funds towards the £46,000 raised to replace the ancient heating system, presented their symbolic cheques.

TOE2 granted £5000 to Thame Players in November, specifically for the heating system and improved roof insulation. TOE2 provides support and funding for projects that develop the sustainable use of renewable resources and increased energy efficiency in community facilities. TOE2 Director, Fiona Danks, said:  “TOE2 is delighted to support Thame Players with funds provided by Grundon Waste Management, as they strive to make the theatre more comfortable and welcoming, while improving the energy efficiency of the building.”

The Doris Field Charitable Trust provides grants to charities in Oxfordshire to fund items of equipment. An award of £1000 was made to Thame Players in November to fund components of the new heating system.

In October Thame Players were awarded a grant of £10,000 by Thame Town Council, specifically towards the installation of the new heating system. This means that the town benefits, because Thame Players will be able to provide shows in greater comfort for more people as the town grows, with over 700 new homes due to be built as part of the Neighbourhood Plan over the next few years.

In July SODC awarded an overall grant of £100,000 from their Community Investment Fund, following a detailed application by Thame Players earlier in the year. This grant represents just under 50% towards the cost of the four stages of the Building A Better Theatre project. The money can only be released on a match-funded basis, so the help of other funders is still needed. When £23,000 became available through other sources to fund the heating work, £23,000 was also made available from the SODC grant.

Pat Shepherd, Chairman of Thame Players, commented: ‘‘We are extremely grateful for the support of TOE2, the Doris Field Trust, Thame Town Council and SODC, who have together made the installation of our new heating system and energy-efficient roof insulation possible. These improvements will make a fantastic difference, so that the theatre will always be warm in winter and precious energy is not wasted.”

She continued: “With the work on the heating system and improved insulation of our building completed, our fundraising team will continue to be busy raising money from potential funders, including charitable trusts, specialist funders and local businesses. We are working hard to achieve our ambitious target of £203,000 so that the rest of the work can be carried out next year, including an extra row of seats, a bigger stage with improved lighting and a reconfiguration of the balcony.”