Proud to be Thame winners!

THAME has been celebrating those in the community who give their time voluntarily for the benefit of others. The ninth Thame Town Awards, hosted by the Mayor of Thame, Linda Emery, were held in the Thame Barns Centre last night, one of her last official duties before her mayoral tenure ends next week.

After a presentation by the two members of 21st Century Thame, who steered Thame to two, Great British High Street Awards and four separate ‘Revive and Thrive’ prizes for town, the Mayor presented Helen Johns and Sonja Francis with a glass bowl, thanking them on behalf of the Town Council for ‘working tirelessly to promote Thame’.

Cllr David Dodds was presented with a very special award of a framed edition of the Thame Gazette, from 50 years-ago, annnouncing his election to, what was then, Thame Urban District Council, the youngest councillor in Oxfordshire. He has been Mayor of Thame eight times. David was also given a luxury two-night stay at The Billesley Hotel, as a thank you for his 50 years’ service to the Town Council, to share with his wife.

Other individuals who had been nominated by members of the public and selected by a panel of judges, received awards in five categories. The Director of Interchurch Productions and ex teacher at John Hampden School in Thame, Catherine Enticknap, received the Creative Arts Achievement Award in recognition of her having ‘motivated people of all ages to act, sing and  dance and perform, with many at a high level and going on to be professionals.

This year’s Sporting Achievement Award went to Ian Blyth, Head Coach of Thame Swimming Club. ‘His passion and enthusiasm for the club, and his relentless energy for inspiring the best in each and every swimmer is palpable’ said the Mayor. ‘The club now has more swimmers competing at County, Regional and National levels than ever before, and swimmers also take part in the Swim Camp in Spain, and Welsh Nationals in Swansea.’

Described as ‘Beacons of positivity’ and ‘always delivering a happy and friendly service to their customers and the community of Thame, Jason and Joshua Atalay received the Service with A Smile Award. “They serve some of the best kebabs in Thame, and received many nominations for their top-class service,” said the Mayor. “And because they are always smiling!” she added.

Barley Hill teacher, well-know for her ‘enjoyable and popular charity quizzes’, Sue Boyle was presented with the Volunteer Of The Year Award. Through her quizzes, Sue has raised thousands of pounds for local charities including Lord Williams’s Association, Thame Carnival, Thame and District Day Centre, Safari and Children In Need. Sue was described as ‘a true pillar of the community’.

Angus Lachlan, who recently stepped down as Chairman of Thame Town Cricket Club, after 25 years of service as a volunteer at the club, received this year’s Life Time Achievement Award. He was nominated for ‘ selflessly giving up huge amounts of his time, and for his amazing breadth of service – umpiring, coaching, barman and tractor-driving!’ – ‘an outstanding contribution to the life and success of the cricket club’.

The awards ceremony finished with the Mayor presenting her Mayor’s Cadet for the year, Oscar Earls, with a special certificate in recognition of his services to herself throughout her mayoral year.

This year’s Thame Town Awards was sponsored by Risborough Carers. Next year will be the tenth anniversary of the Thame Town Awards and the Mayor said that she hoped it would be the ‘biggest and best yet’! Nominations will open in February, 2018.