16/05/11……Thame Barns Centre says farewell to John Thomas

THAME Barns Centre has sent off in style one of the town’s great characters, and the man who has contributed so much to the success of what has become one of Thame’s most popular venues.

Staff and friends joined John for a party at the centre last Friday evening to say ‘thank you’ to John Thomas who retires having been Manager there for the last 10 years.

A substantial collection had been made towards John’s retirement gift and a donation was presented by Rosalie Gibson, one of the Trustees, towards one of John?s hobbies – cycling.

Rosalie made a fitting speech of thanks to which John was the first to lead the applause and to which he was delighted to respond in his own inimitable way, as well as wishing the new Manager, Karen Clark, and the Events Co-ordinator, Patsy Baker, every good wish for the future.

John had a career in construction before he came to the Barns Centre in July, 2001, at which time the Centre was in need of final completion and ?some atmosphere?. It has since become home to numerous regular user groups such as Keep Fit and Yoga, Ballroom Dancing classes, Toddler Groups, Historical Society and Martial Arts to name but a few.

In 2003, the Commercial kitchen was finally commissioned for use and the Centre was registered as a Food Business. Since then, the venue has hosted and catered for hundreds of receptions such as Weddings, anniversaries, parties and wakes as well as hosting the Twinning Celebrations with Montesson and Thame Town Council Civic functions. Businesses both local and from far afield regularly use the venue for meetings and corporate days.

An immensely popular, fortnightly afternoon Tea Dance was held May 11, at which The Dancers showed their appreciation for John and The Centre.

“We all wish John, and his long suffering wife Val, a long and happy retirement!” concluded Karen Clark, who follows in John’s footsteps.