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Thame Local History
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Thame Historical Society - A Brief History
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The current Thame Historical Society was re-formed in December 1984,
some months after a request from the widow of the late Gerry Summers
who had been chairman for a number of years of the earlier forerunner to the Society. In its first year it accumulated a membership of 91, with bi-monthly meetings held at the Masonic Hall in the High Street, and put on its first exhibition in conjunction with the British Legion, entitled "Thame at War". In 1987, meetings were changed to a monthly basis, and also transferred to Lord Williams School East. This resulted in a decline in the membership, which only started to rise again when the meetings moved back to the Masonic Hall in 1989, under the chairmanship of the late Bishop Richard Watson. The current chairman, Maurice Kirtland, has held the office for the past 9 years, during which time the Society membership has risen to approximately 150. This necessitated a further move in the summer of 1999 to the newly renovated Thame Barns Centre. The Society has been a regular contributor to events in the town, and has put on a number of exhibitions displaying various aspects of Thame's history. It is also a supporter of the plan ultimately to see the formation of a museum in the town. |