A Wet and Windy Christmas Launch For Thame

WITH gusting winds and rain showers, Thame’s Christmas Event went with a ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’in more ways than one on Friday.
Several awnings and plastic gazebos left the ground and soaked stall holders struggled to keep their goods dry, during an evening which, nevertheless, attracted hundreds of local people and visitors to the town centre.
Despite many stall holders failing to show and others leaving early because of the weather, the donkey-led pageant was a huge success and ‘Elvis Smelvis’ whipped the brave crowd into a happy rendering of some of the Legend’s most popular songs, including “You’re The Devil In Disguise” and “Return To Sender”, sheltered from the rain by an umbrella held by the Town Clerk’s husband!
An Ad hoc collection of Morris Dancers, garnered together especially for the event from around the villages, helped bring a traditional element of joviality to the proceedings and the French market from Montesson, Thame’s twin town did excellent business selling wines, jams and preserves, and hot, freshly made crepes and galettes.
The Thame Town Band and choir of primary school children, and the Lord Williams’ Band and choir, were magnificent and helped to make the event a truly family affair and many retailers reported a good level of sales during the extra opening hours.

More pictures and reporting tomorrow.