Thriving Thame is a Quadruple Winner!

FOLLOWING a string of awards recently, including becoming a finalist in the Great British High Street Awards, Thame shone once again at the recent Revive & Thrive Local Legends Conference held in Cheshire, bringing home four prizes!

Helen Johns & Sonja Francis, 2nd and 3rd right, with fellow ‘Local Legends’

The conference was held on March 2 and 3, to recognise the work of UK towns and cities involved in regeneration projects and achieving amazing outcomes within their communities and was attended by Sonja Francis and Helen Johns, steering group members of 21st Century Thame. They were nominated to attend as ‘Local Legends’ for their work on Thame projects, by Becky Reid, Market Town Coordinator at Thame Town Council.

The four prizes were funded by sponsors of the Local Legends Conference, and all aimed at improving the town centre and building Thame’s profile, so that it continues to develop as a vibrant and flourishing market town.

The prizes

Global Treasure Apps, developers of an award-winning app that automatically updates with location-based content, will arrange a free treasure trail guide to Thame’s visitor attractions, with 12 months’ marketing support. Secondly, Noggin, the data specialists, will provide a half-day workshop to help Thame use data more effectively and support growth in the local area. Thame was chosen for the third award by Real Towns, who help communities bring smart technology and digital solutions to their towns, They will be providing a free digital health check for Thame and award a bronze, silver or gold badge that positions Thame in the Real Towns’ UK digital status league table. Thame’s final prize was awarded by Revive & Thrive, the originators of the Local Legends awards and publishers of Place magazine. They will produce a special issue of Place that promotes every aspect of Thame to national audiences, showing off all that is best about the town.

‘A fantastic boost for Thame’

On hearing of Thame’s wins, Becky Reid said: “This is a fantastic boost for Thame, following our recent success in the Great British High Streets Competition. These great prizes will help us continue the journey to ensure Thame is the best of market towns for residents, businesses and visitors. On behalf of Thame Town Council, we look forward to working with 21st Century Thame and others to achieve measurable outcomes for the town.”

Sue Martin-Downhill, chair of 21st Century Thame, said: “21st Century Thame was set up to facilitate projects that enhance the town for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Working in partnership with Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, local businesses and community groups, we aim to protect Thame’s past while promoting its future as a vibrant town serving the whole community. These prizes will help us achieve these goals, to the benefit of all. Our work would not be possible without the help of volunteers like Sonja and Helen, who are passionate about their place, and we are always delighted to hear from anyone in the community, whether business or resident, who can help us in any way, however small, to achieve communal objectives.”

Sharing knowledge and ideas about your place

The Local Legends Conference was attended by over 80 representatives of UK towns and cities involved in regeneration projects and featured talks by keynote speakers such as Simon Quin, Director of the Institute of Place Management, Joe Barratt, co-founder of The Teenage Markets, and Jez Hall, Director of Shared Future CIC and coordinator of PB Partners, dedicated to participation and place-making. There were also case study examples from representatives of Legendary Places including Wimborne Minster, Kidsgrove and Loughborough and opportunities for the delegates to share ideas and suggestions.

The Local Legends campaign includes four elements dedicated to successful place management: Inspire, Do, Deliver and Achieve. The campaign reaches out to Local Legends just getting started as well as those who have already successfully delivered an idea benefiting their place. Local Legends are individuals or groups of passionate people, local businesses, BIDs, councils, or town teams who, with imagination, energy and motivation have made their place remarkable.

Getting involved

Any businesses or individuals interested in learning more about 21st Century and how their skills and passion might help the partnership achieve good things for Thame, can contact Sue Martin Downhill via email: suedownhill@gmail.com