Mayor of Thame helps launch new town centre ‘local’

DESPITE the doom and gloom pervading the pub industry nationally, Thame saw its second new pub enterprise in a month open last night (03/12/09).

Just three weeks after she helped officiate at the opening of the town’n first micro brewery for a hundred years at the Cross Keys, the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, helped pull the first pint at The James Figg, in Cornmarket, formerly the Abingdon Arms.

The pub has been completely renovated inside and out, though not, thankfully, ‘gentrified.’ retaining a real local pub feel. The new name, The James Figg, celebrates one of Thame?s most famous sons who, according to local pub historian, David Bretherton, was supposed to have had his headquarters at what was in those days, The Greyhound, in the late 17th century. Figg, was England?s first undisputed champion boxer, winning 270 bouts in the early 1700s.

He was also a master of the broad sword and staff in his day, being well known as a teacher of these skills to the young men of the gentry. Figg’s image, showing him complete with a wig of the type fashionable at that time, is reputed to be in the background of one of Hogarth’s series of paintings, The Rake’s Progress.

The revived free house, which is run by Peach Pubs, the same people behind The Thatch, in Thame, will serve quality real ales and lagers, some of them brewed locally, alongside wines by the glass and simple traditional pub food, in a convivial atmosphere including log fires.

Also fully refurbished is The Stables, an events space in the pub?s courtyard, formerly Murph’s and then TBA’s, will be available for private parties, meetings and community events with its own bar, Wi-Fi and facilities for a DJ.

Frazer Sutherland, who runs The Thatch in Thame, will also be overseeing The James Figg, with manager Tony Lindsell behind the bar. Frazer explained: “I?ve long thought that what Thame needed was a simple, friendly pub with an enjoyable atmosphere where you could drop in for a drink or three, have a good night out with friends or family, and a quick bite to eat too, if you wanted. That?s really what we hoped to achieve in the new-look pub.”

A portrait of the pub?s namesake takes pride of place in the front bar and as well as restoring the memory of James Figg, the pub celebrates British sporting champions down the years with a series of classic photos lining the walls. There will also be the chance to see the country?s current sporting heroes in action with major events being shown in the pub, as well as regular quiz nights for regulars who fancy being local champions themselves.

PHOTO: Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green (centre) with the Manager of The James Figg, Tony Lindsell (left) and Frazer Sutherland (right)