Thame reaches out to earthquake village

THAME Town Council is to send a letter to Thame (Tam-ay) in Nepal, to express its sympathy and support following the Sherpa village’s devastation caused by last weekend’s massive earthquake.

Phur Tenzing Sherpa stands in front of what was his home in the village of Thame (image courtesy of Dave Morton of The Juniper Fund)

The council’s resolution to write to Thame in Nepal, and an agreement to help set up a formal link between the two Thames, came after Cllr Mary Stiles spoke of her chance-meeting with Thame resident, Charlie Tyson-Taylor, founder of the Nepal tour organisation, Snow Line, while out canvassing in the town.

At last night’s Town council meeting, Charlie gave a compelling description of the plight of his Sherpa friends and colleagues in Thame, Nepal, currently surviving in tents because most of the buildings had been reduced to rubble, and because they are scared to sleep indoors because of strong after-shocks that are still being felt.

Charlie explained that his and Mary’s original idea, that it would be fun to form a cultural link between the two Thames, with links to schools etc, now had a more serious and urgent imperative, as the village of Thame would now need help for many years to come – “and it will be fun!” he added.

Charlie said that he had been impressed by the communications already set up between people in Thame, Nepal, and here in Thame, drawing attention to the villagers’ plight, and explained that he was sure money could be raised very quickly in the town, making the comparison that the £4,000 raised at the Mayor’s dinner last week for the skatepark, was the equivalent of a year’s salary for 15 people in Nepal.

More news about how this ‘twinning’ between the two Thames, will be announced very soon.

In the meantime, follow ThameNews on facebook for the latest news from Thame, Nepal, and about how to help.