Author: thorntonvillage

The ‘Years End’ – notes from Andy Smith on the visitors to the reservoir during November and December have just been added to the Nature Notes page of the website. It is fascinating to see all the different birdlife that is visiting Thornton during the winter months. Thank you Andy for letting us share your knowledge and enthusiasm.

A new year but an old problem. Chaotic and selfish parking along Reservoir Road and Main Street all day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday.

NEWS FROM MTTG.
Well, we did it! After a long, enforced break, our Group staged a production to entertain, and hopefully, delight our audiences.

“Tis the Season to be Jolly”, a Murder Mystery written by Muriel Walker and directed by Anne Dobrowlska, was performed at Thornton Community Centre for three nights in December 2021.

It was a sell-out success and many congratulatory comments were received from audience members. They had enjoyed seeing live entertainment again; being in good company in a lively, seasonal atmosphere, and racking their brains to try to identify the murderer who,
unrepentant, stalked amongst them! Oh how the audiences interrogated the suspects! Not a stone went unturned (But many a red herring was netted!) !

Three new members have joined the ranks of MTTG, and it was good to see them , two on stage for the first time, bringing their roles to life, and thoroughly enjoying the comradeship of our friendly Group.

We discovered that, for one of our members, her role in the Murder Mystery was especially significant. Ena Illidge, who joined MTTG some years ago, was marking an unbelievable SEVENTY YEARS in amateur dramatics. Ena had lost count of the roles she’s played since she was sixteen, back home in the little village of Elsecar, in South Yorkshire. Her Mother said, “I’ve heard there’s a lovely drama group at the Miners’ Welfare… come along… I’ll take you!” And take Ena she did. She was immediately asked to prompt for a production of “Reluctant Heroes ”, but, when, a fortnight later, one of the group became ill, was catapulted into the role of a middle-aged WAC officer. Luckily, the uniform fitted! Previously, Ena had played the role of the Grandmother in “Murder at the Bugginses” at her Sunday School. She remembers that she did a lot of rocking in a rocking-chair and solved the murder! Maybe it was that early sleuthing success that lead her to triumph in later years as Miss Marple in amateur productions. She names Jane Marple as one of her favourite roles, but adds that her most favourite role of all was as Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde. She also relished the opportunity to deliver the Alan Bennet monologue , “A Cream Cracker Under the Settee” – a great feat of both memory and characterisation.

We could not let Ena’s seventieth year on stage go unacknowledged, so, on the last night, called her on to stage to receive a bouquet with our thanks and admiration. She is an unassuming person and was quite overwhelmed by the gesture. We are fortunate to have her as a talented, loyal and supportive member.

That conveniently brings me to the point that, we are always looking for new members for MTTG . A drama group needs lots of people, on stage and backstage, to enable productions to be staged. We meet on Wednesday evening at Thornton Community Centre.

Maybe you want to act or sing or dance? Maybe you can paint scenery, sew costumes and make properties? Maybe you’d like to be front of house, looking after our audiences? Is writing your talent? Would you just like to make new friends and be part of a welcoming Group?

If you are interested , ring Andy or Anne on O1530 469714 and they’ll answer any questions.

We have a lower age limit for membership of sixteen – but there is no upper age limit!

What’s next?
Our next production dates are 6th -9th April 2022 and we are planning to stage a comedy or farce as we feel that laughter is much needed! .
However, the volatile nature of the pandemic situation affects us all, so please watch this space.
The aim of our Group continues to be to bring a variety of live dramatic productions, which are worthy or your support, to the locality.
We hope to see you, and to hear your laughter in April 2022.

Muriel Walker

Our village in the past

Two Thornton village calendars (1999 & 2000) were recently found in a filing cabinet at the Community centre. Lost keys meant that two cabinets at the hall have remained locked for many years. On these calendars there are 25 photographs of bygone Thornton. They have been scanned, cropped and enhanced to produce the images shown in the ‘About the Village’ section… click on the sub menu ‘gallery’ to find them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw9YlG10ce8

If you are fed up with turkey next week – look out for Ashley in the fish and chip van on Thursday instead of Friday. He will be on his usual round at the usual time but a day early.

The refurbished reservoir car park re-opened today.

It looks very smart with the newly tarmacked surface and there are two or three extra parking bays together with five bays for blue badge holders.

Look out though for the geese and ducks – they have become so used to having the car park to themselves they are not in a hurry to move out of the way!

After a 22 month break because of Covid restrictions/lockdowns – Quiz nights at the village hall are back (we hope!) on Saturday 8th January ’22. But as I write the rules are changing as the infection rate rises. We can only hope that by then ‘things’ have settled a little. If deemed too risky, nearer the time, the quiz will be postponed to a later date.

Ashley has kept the villagers going throughout Covid with his wonderful fish and chips every Friday afternoon/evening, so I asked if he could cater for 60 of us at a quiz night, and he readily agreed. Here’s hoping it can all go ahead as planned. Profits after expenses will go to the FOSP (Friends of St Peters charity).

Thornton Christmas Tree Festival 2021 took place over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 11th & 12th December. The theme this year was ‘Christmas Stories in any media, including film’.

Despite the short notice that the festival would be held this year there were still 10 wonderful entries covering the 3 categories:-

1) Adult 2) Children/family 3) Most ingenious/original.

There were approximately 150 – 200 visitors to the church over the 2 day period and 105 voting slips were completed.

The 50p entrance fee and a small donation for refreshments raised £180 for the Friends of St Peter’s.

Winner – Adult category – The Polar Express (The Thornton Ringers)

Winner – Children/family – The Snowman & Snowdog (Little Angels)

Winner – Ingenious/original – Two sides of a Christmas Carol (Beta Group)

Overall feedback was positive and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to do something ‘Christmassy’, whilst looking around our wonderful and interesting church. I’m sure there will be an even bigger and better Christmas Tree festival next year.

The weekend culminated in the ‘9 Lessons and Carols’ service in the evening. A lovely way to end a lovely weekend.

Best wishes to all for Christmas and the New Year.