Month: August 2025

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Exciting new venture at Thornton Community Centre

Thornton Community Centre Comedy Night – 11th October

Four local residents have approached the trustees at the Centre with exciting plans to bring regular comedy nights to Thornton.

The first Comedy Night will be on Saturday 11th October 2025 with four stand up comedians, Philip Simon, James Ellis, Charmian Hughes and Gavin Webster.

Comedy Hotspot only bring the very best comedians to their shows, and our show at Thornton Community Centre is no exception. A line up of varied styles, who are all hilarious in their own right. Add a wonderful audience to that and it only means one thing, a superb night of live comedy. We will run the evening like a professional comedy club, ensuring we have the best possible atmosphere and conditions for live comedy.
We cannot wait to welcome you to what is going to be a great Comedy Hotspot Comedy Event.

There will be a licensed bar at the centre. A raffle – prizes include a £60 voucher for the Coach and Horses Inn, Markfield, table for 10 at Bistro Live and a hamper from Everards Beer Hall.

A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Centre towards the maintenance of the Centre

To purchase tickets follow this link : –

https://www.jokepit.com/comedy-in/leicester/thornton-community-centre-comedy-night/43064

Age Restrictions:
18+

Venue opens at:
7:00pm

Venue closes at:
10:45pm

Wheelchair accessible

Travel & Parking:
Plenty of on site parking

Other Information:

Unreserved Seating – Late comers will have to sit in the empty seats remaining, irrespective of their location. All audience members will be required to sit in the designated seating area. You are buying a ticket for the show, and not to see a specific act. Refunds are not given because of line up changes. 

For more information on the acts please see the links below.

https://www.philipsimon.co.uk/

https://jameselliscomedy.co.uk/

https://charmianhughes.co.uk/

https://gavinwebster.co.uk/

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Heritage Open Days & The National Churches Trust ‘Ride & Stride’

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Heritage Open Days are England’s largest community led festival of history and culture events which celebrate our heritage, community and history.

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/printable-area-lists/leicestershire.html

Also every September the National Churches Trust organises ‘Ride and Stride’ for churches – sponsored cycle rides and walks that raise money for the restoration and maintenance of our historic churches and chapels.

https://www.lhct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/

Check out the two links for more information on sites and churches open during September, and please drop in at St Peter’s, Thornton, to view the church and the display of local history. Refreshments available.

Limited street parking. Access from Church Lane by the Corner shop, or take a stroll along the path at Thornton reservoir and walk up to the church from the reservoir.

St Peter’s Church, Thornton

Very largely Early English in character; the nave and the two aisles dating from the beginning of the 14th century or slightly earlier.

St Peter’s church is Grade I listed.

The west tower and spire and the nave clerestory are Perpendicular, added in the 15th century, and the chancel was rebuilt in 1864. The north arcade of the nave has massive octagonal pillars, while that on the south side has quatrefoil pillars. The north aisle has a rare window of ‘ox eye’ design, a cusped spherical triangle. The nave has a full set of Tudor benches, dating from the 1560s their bench ends having carved linenfold panelling.

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Save Ulverscroft, Copt Oak & Markfield’s Countryside

Stop Industrial Development off Junction 22, M1- Ulverscroft

The Issue

The peaceful green landscapes of Ulverscroft and Markfield are under threat from an industrial development proposal near Junction 22 of the M1, Ulverscroft. This area is part of the Charnwood Forest and National Forest, close to the Ulverscroft Wooded Valley — home to ancient woodland, rare wildlife, and much-loved walking routes.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever!…

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose any industrial or warehouse development off Junction 22 in the Ulverscroft/Markfield area.

Why this matters:

Nature & Biodiversity – The site lies within a vital green corridor linking ancient woodland, hedgerows, and meadows. It is habitat for protected and priority species such as bats, owls, red kites, and pollinators.

Landscape & Heritage – This countryside is part of the Charnwood Forest landscape character area, valued for its scenic beauty, tranquillity, and cultural heritage.
Local Policy Conflict – The Markfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan (Sections 4.20 & 4.21) commits to strengthening the National Forest woodland mosaic and expanding green infrastructure. Industrial development here would directly contradict those aims.
Traffic & Safety – Increased HGV movements will add congestion and accident risk to rural lanes and the busy Junction 22 interchange.
Environmental Health – Noise, light pollution, and air quality impacts will harm both wildlife and human wellbeing.

What we’re asking for:

We call on Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council to:

Reject any planning applications for industrial or warehousing use in this location.

Protect and enhance the Ulverscroft and Charnwood Forest landscape as part of the National Forest vision.
Prioritise brownfield redevelopment and existing industrial sites over destruction of green countryside.

By signing this petition, you stand up for our wildlife, our heritage, and the health of future generations.

Can you help out by signing this petition?
https://chng.it/Wxgr99R65b

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Tea with a Twist

Our next 3Ts afternoon is tomorrow, 20th August, 2 to 4 pm.

Hope you are able to join us at Thornton Community Centre, LE67 1AH. 

Everyone is welcome.

No charge.  Just come along for a happy afternoon.

Please do let us know if you need a lift.  Email shirley.garlick19@btinternet.com  or ring  01530 230422

Hope to see you.

The team

xx

 

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St Peter’s church, Thornton

Good morning St Peter’s and Friends

Building repair work will be taking place at St Peter’s church from tomorrow, 18th August until 15th September.

Problems with the roof will be dealt with and some internal plaster works will be carried out.

There should not be any interruption of church services, though parking on Church Lane during the week day could be a problem.

 

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New quiz available – fund raiser for Thornton Community Centre

Many of our website readers love the cryptic quiz produced from time to time by a local resident (me).

A real brain teaser. Perfect accompaniment to your ‘elevenses’.

There is a new one available – this time the theme is birds of the UK.

Contact me on thorntonvillage@aol.com if you would like one.

Or if you could sell a few to colleagues, family and friends – that would be really helpful.

All monies raised will be donated to Thornton Community Centre towards the purchase of new chairs (hopefully with a bit of padding on the seats!), to fit on the new chair trolleys recently purchased.

Thornton Community Centre is a registered charity (521506) managed by a small group of trustees on behalf of the residents of Thornton.

Solve 50 cryptic clues to name UK birds. Cost £1 – Prize £10. Closing date – 1st October ’25

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Reinstate – the Number 28 bus – Thornton, Bagworth

Please put Monday (18th August) in your diary for one of the two venues or both, 

We’re rallying together for the reinstatement of our beloved 28 bus! This route is vital for our community, and we need your support to make it happen. Let’s unite and show our solidarity in this fight. 

Together, we can demonstrate our community strength and push for accessible transportation for everyone. Join us in making our voices heard! #28Bus#CommunityStrength#Solidarity

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VJ Day Service – St Peter’s, Thornton

Hello St Peter’s and Friends

To remember VJ Day, there will be two short services – prayer time  – at St Peter’s church, Thornton.

One at 10 am and the other at 6 pm.

Everyone is invited to join us for a short time of prayer.

Hope you can join us.

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Choose How We Move – New bus service for Thornton

LC15A and LC15B

Following changes to Arriva’s 28 service, the section of route between Ratby and Coalville will now be served in different ways to reflect lower customer demand. The services will be available from Tuesday 26th August 2025. Arriva changes can be viewed on their latest news page. 

LC15A will offer a fixed route, catering to schools and commuters, as well as onward journeys from Groby.

LC15B is a Demand Responsive Transport service, that residents can call up to book. 

LC15A – Fixed Commuter Provision 

The LC15A will be operated by Coalville Cabs and serve all stops in Bagworth, Botcheston, Thornton and Merry Lees.

It will be available Monday to Friday, term time ONLY, allowing people to travel to Groby (Brookvale Groby Learning Campus). Pick-up times* for the LC15ABagworth: 6.45am & 7.45amThornton 6.50am & 7.50amMerry Lees 6.55am & 7.55amBotcheston 7am & 8am

*Please note that pick up times are approximate and it is recommended that passengers arrive at stops 10 minutes early. 

The return times from Groby (stop opposite Woodbank Road) are at 3:20pm and 6:10pm.

Adult single fares will be £2.00 and child single fares will be £1. Free travel concession passes will be valid in accordance with current terms and conditions. 

LC15B – Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)

The LC15B will be operated by Coalville Cabs and serve all stops in Bagworth, Botcheston, Thornton and Merry Lees. 

This is a bookable service, operating Monday to Saturday, 7am-7pm. Passengers will need to call the booking phone number before 5pm the day before travel. 01530 833800

Passengers from the villages served can book to travel to Groby (Brookvale Groby Learning Campus), Glenfield (Near County Hall / Hospital) and Coalville (Memorial Square).

Adult single fares will be between £2.00 – £2.50 (dependant on destination) and child single fares will be 50% of that rate.

Free travel concession passes will be valid in accordance with current terms and conditions. See full details on the table below. 

Watch the short clip below to understand what a DRT is, and how it operates. 

LC15B Fares

To Groby To Glenfield To CoalvilleFrom Bagworth £2.00£2.50£2.00From Thornton £2.00£2.50£2.00From Merry Lees£2.00£2.00£2.50From Botcheston£2.00£2.00£2.50