13/05/13……Damp but not down at Music In the Park

WELL, it wasn?t exactly Glastonbury, but regular horizontal rain showers and strong winds failed to dampen the musical spirit of Thame, when around 2,000 people attended Sunday?s annual Music In the Park event.

Spandau Ballet frontman, Tony Hadley, spent several hours enjoying the afternoon with his family, after being introduced to Thame?s MP John Howell and the Mayor or Thame, Nigel Champken Woods, before officially declaring the event open and wishing everyone a successful afternoon.

As well as being a showcase for talented musicians of several genres from the local area, and further afield, Music In The Park is fast becoming the social event of the year in Thame, where local people and visitors of all ages come together in family and friendship groups, and where you can be sure of bumping into people you may not have seen around since last year!

Despite a power cut holding up the proceedings at one point, the organisers soon had the problem fixed and they were back on schedule with a far-reaching line-up that included a Led Zeppelin tribute band and the choir of John Hampden Primary School?s performance of local composer, Barry Gibson?s new piece, ?Music In The Park? written especially for this year?s event.

There was much to do to keep the kids happy with a Mega-slide, Doom dome, face painting and games, while the grown-ups could keep themselves topped up at either of the two bars, or with cakes and teas at the Girl Guides? tea tent, and with food ranging from crepes, Indian food and burgers.

The rain having stopped at last, the Headline band, Bolt From the Blue, with their unique blend of Soul and Funk, sent the damp but enthusiastic crowd home smiling.

Music In the Park is now in its third year, and it is testament to the spirit of Thame where an army of volunteers like the Army Cadets who litter-picked all day, Thame Lions, local businesses like Crash Records, K & A Scaffolding and others, work with the town council to produce a wonderful event that contributes to the cultural life of the town and brings people together.

The Mayor, whose wife Alison is Chair of The Friends of Elms Park, said today: ?I thought that, considering the weather, we did OK. I thought it was really good to see how happy Tony Hadley and his family were to stay and chat to people and sign autographs.

?What amazed me was that despite the rain, a lot of people stayed to the very end – even insisting that Bolt from the Blue did another number!?

?I think we have now placed Music in the Park on the map as far as Thame is concerned. Now we will have a couple of weeks rest then start planning for next year?s event again in May. Apparently the average is one year of rain in three so we are looking forward to better weather and another great event next year.?

Profits from the event will contribute to providing lighting in Elms Park.