14th March 2025
March is Women's History Month, and across the globe, the achievements of women are being celebrated. There are five women on the Thame Town Council. This week, we meet Cllr Helena Richards.
Tell us about yourself – where were you raised, schooled, and what is your connection to Thame?
I spent my early years and schooling in Dollar, Scotland before my family moved to Essex to complete my education in Brentwood. I went on to train as a doctor, later training as a GP in South London.
My husband’s surgical training took us and our young family on quite a journey to New Zealand, Salisbury, Oxford, and Melbourne, Australia until finally we arrived in Thame 25 years ago. We then bought our home in Towersey, where our 4th child was born. All our children went to schools and clubs in Thame and we have all loved being able to call Thame our home town.
What do you consider to be your greatest contribution / achievement, and why?
One of my proudest achievements was being elected to Thame Town Council in a by-election in 2021. It has been a real pleasure to serve the people of Thame since then. I am happy that I helped secure the retention of the 121 bus, support the installation of the Town Hall water fountain, and continue to campaign for the Thame-Haddenham Greenway and be part of the Thame Environment Forum.
Above all, I am proud of my role as a mother to four lovely people. I think parents deserve more recognition, for what is sometimes the hardest job there is.
What is your vision for Thame? How would you like to see the town evolve over the next 10 or 20 years?
Partly my vision for Thame is to preserve the character that makes it such a wonderful place to live. That said, I would love a pedestrianised area in the town centre with tree shade to create an outdoor café culture.
I would also love safe cycling and walking links connecting Thame to Haddenham, Long Crendon, and Chinnor, giving us all more opportunity to exercise and enjoy the outdoors safely and provide safe active travel routes.
Who is your shero (woman you regard as a hero), and why?
My (s)hero is Caroline Lucas. She was the only Green party MP for 10 years but managed to have a voice that was respected and listened to. It must have been exhausting but she inspired a lot of people, particularly women to get involved, including me.
What is the greatest advice you have ever received or lesson you have ever learned?
I heard Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland quote ‘Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little’I often remind myself that even a small action, such as just turning up, can make a difference.
How would you like to be remembered?
Most importantly, I would like to be remembered by my family. Beyond them, I would hope to be remembered as someone who always did their best with integrity and humour.
