05/11/10…..Thame’s own ‘calendar girls’ bare all for the day centre – well, almost all!

WHEN the landlady of The Cross Keys in Thame heard about the threat hanging over the future of the local Day Centre, in what she admits was a rash moment, she suggested that the pub sponsor a ‘Calender Girls’ type calendar as a money-raiser.

Landlord and brewmaster, Peter Lambert, a professional photographer, at first thought: “Oh no, more work for me!” But soon he too was inspired by wife Trudi’s idea and agreed to go along with her, providing she would pose for one of the calendar’s monthly pictures.

The idea soon grew and locals, their wives and friends and an ex Deputy Mayor of Thame, were soon gathered together and photographed by Peter.

The result is the stunning 2011 calendar, launched at the Thame Brewery at The Cross Keys, last night (04/11/10) and the first copy hot of the press, presented to Gillian Coleman, the Manager at the Thame and District Day Centre. “This will certainly light up the eyes of some of our male members!” she told Peter.

The calendar, which was printed free by Neil Atkinson of Colour Five, will be on sale at Saturday’s Thame Christmas Charities Fair at Thame town hall, between 10am and 1pm. (Father Christmas will be there too.)

For beer lovers, Hoppiness, one of Peter’s beers, came runner up two weeks ago at the Oxford beer festival run by CAMRA. Thame Brewery itself is holding a beer festival on the 13th & 14th of November, to celebrate the brewery’s first birthday which will feature in the region of 24 beers and six ciders including one made in Long Crendon.

PHOTO: Bottom row, left to right:
Bev (one of the pub’s regulars), Lesley Mccabe (bar staff), Emily (Emsy, a local driving instructor (Driven)) and young Vicky Bromwich (bar staff)

Top row, left to right:
Vicky (a regular and local), Nichola Dixon (ex Mayor of Thame), Cath (a pub regular), Hillary (Hilly Carter, County Cllr Nick Carter’s wife), Fran Rimmer (bar staff) Cross Keys landlady Trudi.