Thriving Thame is a Quadruple Winner!

Thame has won four prizes at the Revive & Thrive Local Legends Conference held in Northwich, Cheshire on 2^nd and 3^rd March. The conference was attended by Sonja Francis and Helen Johns, steering group members of 21^st Century Thame, who were nominated to attend as ‘Local Legends’ for their work on Thame projects by Becky Reid, Market Town Co-ordinator at Thame Town Council.

The four prizes, funded by sponsors of the Local Legends Conference, are all aimed at improving the town centre and building Thame’s profile, so that it continues to develop as a vibrant and flourishing market town.

Global Treasure Apps, developers of an award-winning app that automatically updates with location-based content, will arrange a free treasure trail guide to Thame’s visitor attractions, with 12 months’ marketing support. Noggin, the data specialists, will provide a half-day workshop to help Thame use data more effectively and support growth in the local area. Real Towns, providers of solutions that empower towns, putting them in charge of their digital futures, will arrange a free digital health check and award a bronze, silver or gold badge that positions Thame in the Real Towns’ UK digital status league table. Revive & Thrive, originators of the Local Legends awards and publishers of Place magazine, will produce a special issue of Place that promotes every aspect of Thame to national audiences, showing off all that is best about the town. 

On hearing of Thame’s wins, Becky Reid said, ‘This is a fantastic boost for Thame, following our recent success in the Great British High Streets Competition. These great prizes will help us continue the journey to ensure Thame is the best of market towns for residents, businesses and visitors. On behalf of Thame Town Council, we look forward to working with 21^st Century Thame and others to achieve measurable outcomes for the town.’

Sue Martin-Downhill, chair of 21^st Century Thame, said, ‘21^st Century Thame was set up to facilitate projects that enhance the town for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Working in partnership with Thame Town Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, local businesses and community groups, we aim to protect Thame’s past while promoting its future as a vibrant town serving the whole community. These prizes will help us achieve these goals, to the benefit of all. Our work would not be possible without the help of volunteers such as Sonja and Helen who are passionate about their place, and we are always delighted to hear from anyone in the community, whether business or resident, who can help us in any way, however small, to achieve communal objectives.’ 

The Local Legends Conference was attended by over 80 representatives of UK towns and cities involved in regeneration projects which are achieving amazing outcomes within their communities, and featured talks by keynote speakers such as Simon Quin, Director of the Institute of Place Management, Joe Barratt, co-founder of The Teenage Markets, and Jez Hall, Director of Shared Future CIC and coordinator of PB Partners, dedicated to participation and place-making. There were also case study examples from representatives of Legendary Places including Wimborne Minster, Kidsgrove and Loughborough and opportunities for delegates to share best practice and ideas.  

The Local Legends campaign includes four elements dedicated to successful place management: Inspire, Do, Deliver and Achieve. The campaign reaches out to Local Legends just getting started as well as those who have already successfully delivered an idea benefiting their place. Local Legends are individuals or groups of passionate people, local businesses, BIDs, councils, or town teams who, with imagination, energy and motivation have made their place remarkable.

Anyone interested in learning more about Revive & Thrive and their work with towns and cities should contact them at enquiries@reviveandthrive.co.uk or on 03330 124285. Anyone interested in learning more about 21^st Century Thame and how they can help with business and community projects locally should contact Sue Martin-Downhill at suedownhill@gmail.com or on 07860 328880.

Pictured: Local Legends prize winners, including Sonja Francis and Helen Johns from Thame, show off their awards certificates.