Thame welcomes ‘the Chain Gang’

AROUND 60 people attended Thame’s annual Civic Reception in glorious sunshine on Sunday, hosted by the town’s Mayor, Cllr Nichola Dixon.

Councillors and representatives from many of Thame’s local organisations were joined by the Mayors of the other Oxfordshire town, and the Mayor of the City of Oxford, to meet and chat and to enjoy a buffet lunch at The Barns Centre. Nichola shared a video of a parachute jump she made recently, to raise funds for her two chosen charities, The Thame and District Day Centre and Thame to Thame, earthquake appeal, to much appreciative applause.

Afterwards, many of them strolled behind marching representatives from the Royal Air Force, Halton, and Thame Air Cadets, to a packed St Mary’s Church for the Civic Service. Speakers included Gill Coleman, Manager of The Thame and District Day Centre, County Cllr Nick Carter who read a prayer, Tyrell Gilman, and Charlie Tyson-Taylor, representing ‘Thame to Thame’ formed to raise funds to help rebuild the village of the same name, Thame, in Nepal, which was devastated by the earthquake back in April.

The Mayor of Oxford City, Rae Humberstone, was interested to hear about Thame’s efforts to help its namesake in Nepal, and with the Mayor of Thame, Nichola Dixon, he has volunteered to organise a fund-raising event in Oxford with the city’s own Nepalese community, which includes four restaurant owners. Watch this space for more news on that exciting event.

Pupils from Barley Hill School sang three songs, including a very impressive ’round’ song, under the baton of Miss Merkala Indra. The event finished with tea and cakes. MORE IMAGES from the Civic Reception here.