We meet on the third Thursday of the month at Thame Town Hall
Our Committee
A huge welcome to new Committee members Lizzy, who is also our terrific Vice President, and Clare. Their smiley portraits and news of their favourite books, films and pastimes are coming very soon.
Sarah
PRESIDENT
WELL, YOU'RE NOT BORING, THEY SAID
Ciao!My role as president is to be welcoming, listen to the members, and work with the committee to build a programme that makes folk want to be a part of Thame Belles. I'm the WI Public Affairs county chair and hope to engage the WIs with the big societal issues and to campaign for needed change. The WI is one of the best organisations I've been a part of and I've learnt so much over the last eight years and met some truly wonderful people. My passions are cooking for friends, throwing impromptu parties, reading the latest novels, dancing, dressmaking and travelling near and far. I've got South America and the Pacific Rim in my sights. ​
Debs
RESOLUTIONS CHAMPION
BEST TEA-MAKER
Well, hello!
I have been a Thame Belles Member and part of the committee since we began in 2015. When I am not running around after my 3 children, I like to read and being part of a book club means I often have a book on the go (even if it’s not to my taste!) and have quite a list of books I want to read - preferably in the sun on the beach! I love music and dancing in my kitchen and going to see anything live whether it’s a gig or a trip to the theatre. As a Belle I particularly enjoy our active meetings - Morris Dancing was great fun and discovering I can do craft! Over the last few years I have encouraged our members to be part of Thame Carnival and join Thame WI in their annual carol concert as part of the choir!
Val
TREASURER &
SHARP DRESSER
Lovely to meet you all!
I am the Treasurer which means I am responsible for dealing with all our financial transactions and
the accounting processes.
What made you want to join the WI? I had recently stopped full-time work and was looking for new interests, to meet people and become more involved with the local Thame community
What is your favourite place in Thame? Thame’s pubs, cafes and local shops. And now, the countryside behind the Rugby Club where we have spent many hours enjoying the local walks
What's your favourite book? No real favourite - I just love to read
What do you do outside the WI? I’m a volunteer and Trustee at the Thame Senior Friendship Club (formerly Thame Day Centre), love to travel, cook and visit family and friends
What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? Always look for the positives and treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.
What did you want to be when you were a child? An Air Hostess - clearly before the days of Easyjet and Ryanair!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Probably Shepherd’s Pie made with slow-roasted lamb
What has surprised you most about the WI? How different in character the local WI Groups seem to be. I had always thought it was a club for older ladies who liked to sit and sew or knit whilst drinking tea.
Do you collect anything? Those that know me well would say handbags, shoes and scarves
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Sarah M
SECRETARY & SUPER CRAFTER
Hi!
I have been Thame Belles's Secretary since 2016, glutton for punishment, I know. This means I type lots of agendas and minutes working closely with the president to make sure we stay within rules. As one of the three officers, I help the committee arrange our monthly meetings and ensure the smooth conduct of the WI business.
What made you want to join the WI?
I went along to the inaugural meeting of our WI with some of my mum friends to see what it was going to be about and have been a member ever since. Funnily, it was my husband who suggested the name, Thame Belles. Most of the friends I came with initially are no longer members but I have made lots of new ones along the way.
How do you spend your time outside the WI?
I currently work full-time as a teaching assistant at John Hampden having given up my job as a Nurse Practitioner in A&E after my second daughter was born. I obviously have the roles of a taxi driver, chef, quartermaster, referee, timekeeper, and chief nag as well. I have recently joined 1st Thame Scouts as a cub and scout leader so I am quite busy...
What is the last book you read?
I recently read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I read the first couple of chapters and was slightly confused but after the preamble, I found it completely captivating. I think I finished it in 6 days between visiting Rambouillet, going to Parc Asterix and being dragged around French shopping centres by my eldest daughter.
Do you collect anything?
I am a keen crafter, especially crochet, and have an extensive yarn collection. I also have a variety of woodwind instruments which I play when the mood takes me. As a family, we collect board games and enjoy spending a Sunday afternoon playing them together.
​
Peta
MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT
SUNNY GET-STUFF-DONE GAL
Hello, lovelies!
I look after the database for members' details and all the associated admin with that. I work closely with Treasurer Val to make sure our membership details and financial details all match!
​
What made you want to join the WI? It was on my list of things to do when I retired.
What is your favourite place in Thame? Southern Road Rec - it’s local to my home and my family and their families have spent many happy times there.
What's your favourite book? The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy is my current favourite. I was given this for my birthday it’s a wonderful book filled with love and kindness.
What do you do outside the WI? I’m retired but enjoy spending time with my family, baking, gardening, walking the dog, trying new gins and DanceFit.
What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be good.
What did you want to be when you were a child? I dreamed of being Cabin Crew or at least working at an airport - I still love airports!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sunday Roast Beef dinner with all the trimmings followed by blackberry and apple crumble with ice cream - yummy.
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? 1969 - the year I was 16 - when I discovered a whole new and changing world out there.
What has surprised you most about the WI? The amazing mix of ladies and their hidden talents.
Who do you think is a good role model for women today? Michelle Obama.
What was the last book you read? What did you think? The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. A newly discovered author and genre for me but I’m really enjoying the mystical and sometimes dark storytelling.
What was the last movie you watched? What did you think? The Lady in the Van on TV - the story of a true British eccentric which made me smile. Dame Maggie Smith was brilliant.
Do you collect anything? Happy memories and photos.
What’s one of your ambitions in life? To visit the Scilly Islands.
Jane
GREAT IDEAS FOR BELLES
Hello, everyone!
I'm the founder of Thame Belles and I have been president and Vice president during my time! Along with the team, I set the tone of our WI and put together ideas for the sessions. We want our members to be inspired and inspiring, enabled, motivated, and able to learn new skills together whilst having a good time!
What made you want to join the WI? My parents were in the Round Table and Ladies' Circle when I was young, and I saw what great fun and friendship this brought them (and still does). I'm the kind of person that likes to belong to something - and the WI's values and traditions fit with mine. Moving from London three years ago was the spur really, as I was keen to make friends and become more involved in the community. I met Kelly at Denman, we hatched a plan and here we are.
How do you spend your time outside the WI? Mostly in the kitchen. I'm a cookery writer and food stylist which means that I develop recipes at home for all sorts of food clients, mainly magazines, and then make the food look pretty behind the camera somewhere in a studio in London. I also write and edit cookbooks.
What is your favourite book? The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? A cheeseboard with amazing bread and pickles. Or proper ragu pasta. Both with red wine!
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? I love Deco style, so at some point in the Thirties perhaps.