Could you raise a future guide dog?

Zoe Gater

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Thame

Together with Susie Dent, Guide Dogs is calling for volunteers in areas including Didcot and Thame to help care for these future companions.

Could you help adorable puppies become life-changing guide dogs? Leading UK charity Guide Dogs is looking for more volunteers to help raise guide dog puppies during their important first year.

Guide Dogs provides a wide range of services to support people with sight loss, as well as their families. This includes helping them develop the skills they need to live independent, active lives, and running events that bring together families navigating sight loss.

With more than 250 people starting to lose their sight every day in the UK, hundreds are currently waiting for a guide dog, and the need for puppy raisers in Oxfordshire and beyond has never been greater.

As a puppy raiser, you’ll give a 6–8-week-old puppy the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You’ll care for the puppy for 12–16 months, supporting its training, socialisation, and introduction to new environments and experiences, all while providing a safe, loving home.

Plus, you’ll receive full training and ongoing support, with Guide Dogs covering all dog food and veterinary costs.

Susie Dent, Countdown icon and an ambassador for Guide Dogs, said: “Having taken part in a volunteering scheme with Guide Dogs myself, I know how rewarding the experience can be. But more people are needed to help raise the next generation of guide dogs, ready for life-changing partnerships with people with sight loss.

“I’d urge anyone who wants to make a real difference, and who has time, space and love to give to a future guide dog, to volunteer as a puppy raiser.”

To support even more people with sight loss, Guide Dogs is working to increase the number of puppies being raised in Oxfordshire.

Together with Susie Dent, the charity is calling for volunteers in areas including Didcot and Thame to help care for these future guide dogs.

To find out more about volunteering as a puppy raiser, visit guidedogs.org.uk/puppyraising.

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Thame Players Theatre hosts free Open Day in February 2026

Round & About

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Thame

Whether you’re interested in acting and directing, sound and lighting, costumes and makeup or front-of-house, Thame Players Theatre invites you to experience it all at its free Open Day this February 2026.

Curious to see what goes on backstage at the theatre? Thame Players invite you to take an exclusive peek behind the curtain and discover how a production really comes together.

Taking place on Saturday 7th February 2026, you’ll see how the theatre works first-hand – from front of house to backstage – and meet some of the volunteers who are behind every show that’s put on at Thame’s dedicated theatre.

During your visit, you’ll be able to chat with members of the friendly team about a wide range of roles, including acting and directing, sound and lighting, backstage and set building, costumes and makeup, and front of house.

You’ll also find out how to get involved and receive hands-on training – whether you’re interested in treading the boards, using your technical or DIY skills, helping with costumes and props, or greeting audiences as they arrive to see a show.

Wayne Gibson, Open Day Coordinator at the Thame Players, said: “The theatre is made up of a community of people with different skills who make the magic happen. We’re looking forward to welcoming anyone and everyone from Thame and the local area, when there’ll be opportunities to find out what’s involved in putting on a show and how the theatre ticks.

“You’ll discover what we do and how we do it – from acting and directing to set building, sound and lighting. You’ll learn a lot, and it’ll be a fun experience too.”

For more information, visit the Thame Players website.

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Tasty treats at Thame Food Festival

Karen Neville

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Thame

Karen Neville

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A real foodie destination returns on September 28th & 29th with a wonderful mix of more than 120 stalls in the Artisan Market

Thame Food Festival promises a delicious mix of sweet, savoury, vegan, vegetarian and flavours from around the world offering something delicious to suit every taste!

This will be alongside the Street Food market with an extensive range of carefully selected, passionate producers. All guaranteed to enjoy then and there or to take away and savour in another moment in this fabulous feast of an event sponsored by Lightfoots Solicitors.

Headlining the celebrated Big Cookery Stage this year will be Matty Edgell – winner of last year’s Great British Bake Off. He will be joined by fellow finalist Dan Hunter. Several familiar faces will be alongside them including Steven Carter-Bailey, Alex Hollywood, Eva Humphries, Dave Mooney, Val Stones, Tristan Welch, and for the first time DJ Supper Club. This includes Daniel Adams, an ex-three Michelin star-trained chef, who honed his skills under Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck. Joel Mignott, known for his cooking, fashion, entertainment as a DJ and model, and as a star on ITV’s Made in Chelsea, joins him as a dynamic culinary duo.

In addition, LumberjAxe Food Company will be really increasing the heat; with BBQ demonstration showing how to take your BBQ to the next level. Join them as they fire up the festival and offer delicious tastings too.

More than just food

The core of Thame Food Festival is always about the food and drink. However, no festival is complete without live music which will again feature alongside the ever-popular Pop-Up pub. Then for the shopaholics, step into the marquee of eclectic home and kitchenware which will be returning with Humble Country.

The dedicated children’s activity area will return with local charity Thomley entertaining the children with lots of art and fun things to do. And once again, there will be dog show and demonstrations by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People with all money raised going directly to the charities. Circus skills workshops will encourage younger visitors to try juggling, spinning plates and more.

Fast Track Priority Tickets are available to purchase online now, at £12 for adults (17+ yrs), £5 for children aged 12-16, all under 12s free. Family tickets for two adults and two children are available prior online for £29 (only available online until 20th September and not available on the day). Gates open at 10am each day and once within the festival site all the music, demonstrations, interviews, circus workshops and masterclasses are free.

Come eat, drink and do! Join for a fun, fabulous, feasting family day out!

Full details at Thame Food Festival | 28 & 29 Sept 2024

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Music & food, the perfect combo

Round & About

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Thame

There’s more than just food on the menu at Thame Food Festival on September 24th and 25th

Music & food, the perfect combo

A wonderful celebration of live music magic, sponsored by local company Adactus, is promised at Thame Food Festival where an eclectic line up will span eras and genres.

The dedicated stage will be hosted and presented by the Thame Music Academy where through-out the weekend the Adactus stage will host a variety of local and national musicians. The mix of artists has been carefully choregraphed to appeal to many of the visitors to the festival and gives an opportunity to enjoy true music while soaking up the atmosphere. So, expect a unique blend of blues, rock, pop, reggae, beats, folk and soul.

Based in Thame, Adactus have been helping restaurants to figure out which tech solutions add value for their guests and their employees for over 20 years. A successful hospitality business offers great experiences through their food, service, and the environment they create.

Adactus MD Scott Muncaster said: “Being based in Thame, we love the food festival. So, we are really pleased to be sponsoring the music stage at this year’s festival, with loads of talented musicians performing. See you there!”

Lotte Duncan, Patron and Organiser of Thame Food Festival also said: “People just love the opportunity to chill out and enjoy the live music at Thame Food Festival. The stage is perfectly sandwiched between the FestivAles Pop Up Pub and the Children’s Activity areas, with an area of covered and uncovered seating alongside all the delights of the Artisan Food Market. So, the ideal spot to stop, have a drink, tuck into some food, relax and enjoy the music.”

This year’s event aims to have more than 130 artisan producers alongside demonstrations from many leading chefs and bakers. The event naturally attracts a number of high profile celebrities from both the chef and baking world including Master Chef and Great British Bake Off stars.

The festival is easily accessible from Thame town centre with plenty of free parking if coming from further afield. Entrance in advance is £12 per day (until the 16th September) and all accompanied children under 12 go free.

Find out more

See Thame Food Fesatival’s website for details thamefoodfestival.co.uk

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Thame Food Festival bursary winner announced

Karen Neville

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Thame

Popular food festival runs on September 24th & 25th and this year more than 180 artisan producers are set to take part

Hartley’s Cookery School, based in Haddenham, has been awarded the Thame Food Festival bursary for 2022.

The bursary, reinstalled after sponsorship by Pinkster Gin, was established a few years ago to celebrate and promote newly-formed artisan food business within a 30-mile radius of Thame.

Hartley’s Cookery School aims to offer cookery class and chef table experiences which explore food, why certain ingredients or techniques are used and how to prepare and cook it. While also creating an environment that is fun and appealing for everyone – whatever their ability.

Creating an environment that is fun and appealing for everyone

Simon Hartley, Chef and owner of Hartley’s Cookery School said of the win: “I am delighted to be receiving this bursary and the support of the team at Thame Food Festival. Since opening our doors at Bradmoor Farm in January it’s been amazing to welcome and cook with our first guests at the school. We want to be a community-led business and have so enjoyed building relationships with other food producers and suppliers. Our vision for the school is to share my knowledge and passion for food in a relaxed environment, offering fun-filled courses for all abilities. Whether you’ve never picked up a knife or are a seasoned foodie, there’s something for everyone!”

The bursary includes an award of £1,000, a free pitch at this year’s Thame Food Festival, content in the festival programme, the opportunity to have an interview in the Food Glorious Food marquee and help with PR and social media.

Previous winners have included Ozi Lala, who has gone on to win Great Taste awards for his unique food products and the original winner was Lisa Hartwright of Tess’ Brilliant Bakes. Both of whom are going from strength to strength and still play an active part in the food festival too.

Supporting young businesses that have the same ethics as the festival is an important part of what we try to do

Patron and event co-ordinator Lotte Duncan said: “We are delighted to be in a position to offer a bursary again – thanks to Pinkster Gin. As a Community Interest Company, supporting young businesses that have the same ethics as the festival is an important part of what we try to do. It was such a pleasure to meet Simon and his partner and hear what they are trying to achieve by giving people friendly, fun cookery courses while learning about the provenance of their food.”

What will he spend the bursary on? Simon said: “As we have only been trading for just over five months, we are looking to use the bursary to invest in upgrading our website, signage and professional photography. Plus, use the support of the judges to broaden awareness of us and explore how we can potentially look at supporting initiatives in the community too.”

Find out more about them at Hartley’s Cookery School and to book tickets for the festival go to Thame Food Festival

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