28/06/11…Fun in the sun for Thame businesses

HATS, hose pipes and sunscreen were the order of the day on Sunday, for Thame’s first ever Business family fun day.

Around 50 local businesses, trades people and retailers, plus their families gathered at Chinnor Rugby Club on the edge of the town for the relaunch of the Thame business organisation formerly known as Thame First. The organisation, part of the 21st Century Thame Partnership, will be known as Thame4Business, to fit in with the town branding, now becoming familiar around the town.

Also invited were town councillors, several of them local business people themselves like Peter Lambert, Landlord of The Cross Key Pub and micro brewery, and Adam Buckland, who runs Brothers Hair Salon in Buttermarket. The Mayor of Thame also stayed for the afternoon with his wife Margaret, and dutifully kept his jacket on with the Mayoral chain around his kneck, despite the soaring temperature.

Children of all ages – and some adults, took turns on the bouncy castle, donned hard hats and harnesses for the climbing wall, rode on a pony, sat in the petting zoo with the giant rabbits, hens, ducks, geese, baby goats and sheep, enjoyed some quiet artwork out of the sun in the club house and finally, ran in and out of a hose pipe to cool off!

And while the kids were having fun, the adults too were chatting to old friends and making new ones among Thame’s business fraternity, availing themselves of the bar, the free Pimms and the BBQ, as four members of Sound Force, Vic Winslade of Fore Golf’s band, played their own mix of soul, funk and rock from the balcony.

Acting Chair of Thame4Business, Sonja Francis, was delighted with response to the call to bring Thame businesses together in a way unlike any other networking event, and thanked all those who had helped make the event such a success – despite competition from the Thame 10K in the morning and both Towersey fete and the visiting circus during the same afternoon. (Though members of the Circus came over early in the afternoon to join in the fun)

“Its always a challenge to find ways of encouraging co-operation and mutual support among local businesses who don’t always have the time to attend Breakfast meetings or evening networking events,” she said. “And this seemed a good idea to use family time to all come together in a more informal and fun setting, where no one is under any obligation to give ‘the big sell’ but to just get to know who’s out there beavering away just like you. And, who knows, you may meet and get to know others who you can do business with.”

Quotes from some of the businesses who attended:

“Yesterday was fab! The kids thoroughly enjoyed themeselves. Thank you for organising!” (via Twitter)
Ice The Cake

“Many thanks for the fantastic event on Sunday. I think the work for Thame you do is incredible. I would definitely like to become member of Thame4Business, so will be dropping off my application shortly.”
Mary Ann Peregrine, Food Lovers’ Kitchen

“A brilliant event and yes, we must start planning where we go from here!”
Yvette Cundy, Kismet Jewellers

“Great event – looking forward to helping with the group.” (via Twitter)
Steve Gunn Associates

“Big up Thame Business fun day… big success!”
Eddie Hesford, Red Dice Digital (via Twitter)

“Had a lovely day… Fab event! :-)” (Via Twitter)
Laura, North Mill Stoves

Thame businesses who were unable to make the fun day, can contact Sonja Francis 07792 487 030, or email: editor@thame.net for information about the benefits of joining Thame4Business and a membership form.