Author: thorntonvillage

WALKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE

17 – 19 September 2021

The National Forest Trek is a new fundraising challenge event providing participants with the chance to walk some or all of the 75mile National Forest Way. Created by three founding charities across the area of the National Forest, the event is open to all, including those that wish to raise funds for their own causes.

Support was given all the way from Beacon Hill, near the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), through ancient woodland and newly planted trees, to the finish at the National Memorial Arboretum, the nation’s year-round centre of remembrance.

The first break for the intrepid walkers came thirteen and a half miles from the start, at Thornton Community centre. There they were greeted by two of the trustees and Trailplus organisers who provided them with well deserved refreshments and a very welcome sit down.

Huge congratulations to everyone who took on the inaugural National Forest Trek last weekend. What an incredible achievement over £25,000 was raised for charitable causes.

MESports are back at the Community Centre after a long break due to Covid.

ME Sports in the Community (megroup-uk.co.uk)

See their website for more information on what sports are available at the hall.

These are the classes due to start soon in the sports hall – if you would like more information call them on 01530 242 706 or visit them at Innovation House, 232 Leicester Road, Field Head, Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9RG. There is an email contact form on their website.

• Every Tuesday @ 10.15am – 11.00am (another SoccerTots) starting 05/10/21

• Every Tuesday @ 11.15am – 12.15am (Table Tennis) starting 28/09/21

• Every Wednesday @ 11.00am – 11.45am (MiniMovers) starting 06/10/21

• Every Wednesday @ 12.25pm – 1.25pm (Yoga) starting 06/10/21

• Every Thursday @ 11.45am – 12.30pm (CycleBugs) starting 07/10/21

• Every Thursday @ 1.00pm – 2.00pm (Multi-Sports MashUp) starting 30/09/21

“ME Sports in the Community host a number of clubs, classes and groups at our centre which are extremely popular and fantastic for the community. The sessions are always well attended and very well run…It is great to see so many young people taking part in sport and there is a huge buzz around the local area that a sporting icon like Matt Elliott is actively involved in our community. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough!”
Muriel Walker
Trustee at Thornton Community Centre

Those of you who live with seven-year-olds will know that they are very prone to asking unusual questions at odd moments! One such question surprised Matt and Kaylee Smith, of Thornton, when their daughter suddenly asked, “Please can I do a sponsored walk for the Community Centre?”

Mum Kaylee says that she had no idea what out the idea into Katie’s head. “She loves the village, and for, a little girl, is very community-minded, but where this idea came from, we can only wonder!”

Katie already had the suggested route in her head… from the doorstep of Thornton Community Centre to Bradgate Park and back again. Mum and Dad pointed out that it is rather a long walk when you’re only seven, but Katie, who loves the outdoor life, was adamant that she could do it.

So, in April, arrangements were made. As you can imagine, the Thornton Centre Trustees were absolutely delighted to agree to the proposed event. Sponsorship details were clarified and excitement in the Smith household grew daily.

The day, (10^th April 2021), dawned drizzly; but, nothing daunted, Kaylee , accompanied by Mum and canine member of the family, Elmo, set off early in the morning. I understand that Katie smiled all the way… striding forth with no complaints and only one stop at Newtown Linford for a well-earned ice-cream.

It was a wonderful effort and Katie raised £500 for the Centre!

We did intend to arrange a “handing over of the cheque” ceremony, so that we could publicly acknowledge this little girl’s generosity. However, Covid restrictions put paid to that.

So, herewith,  the Trustees of Thornton Centre would like to express their gratitude to Katie and her very supportive family, and also to those who sponsored the walk.

THANK YOU, KATIE! YOU ARE A SHINING STAR.

Muriel Walker (for the Trustees of Thornton Community Centre)

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th September

The National Forest Trek is a one, two, or three-day charity challenge walk, across the 12 stages and 75 miles of the National Forest Way.

Participants can choose between raising money for the three founding charities, or for a charity of their choice for a cause close to them.

Alternatively, the event is also open to those who would prefer to fund their own entry.

If you are a charity interested in getting involved in the event, please contact us on info@nationalforesttrek.co.uk to find out more.

ANCIENT FORESTS AND THORNTON RESERVOIR

As the walk progresses from Beacon hill and leaves Bradgate Park, the next section of the Trek takes you out of the ancient Forest of Charnwood and towards one of the largest continuous tracts of woodland in The National Forest. The route takes you through Martinshaw Wood, where coniferous woodland is being replaced with native species, and on through a variety of young and mature woodlands.

From the wonder of woodland to the serenity of water and, more specifically, Thornton Reservoir. This attractive and tranquil expanse of water is a delightful spot to pause along the route of the Trek. Make a point to return and if you chose to take the three-mile surfaced path around the reservoir, don’t miss the sculpture trail hidden amongst the mature woodland.

The ‘trekkers’ will take refreshments at Thornton Community Centre

We Need You

After a long sleep Thornton’s community centre is gradually waking up to life post Covid.

We are now open for business as usual.

The hall is a wonderful resource in the village and welcomes, residents and visitors alike.

The hall must certainly take the prize for the best view in the county, looking out across Thornton reservoir and the National Forest.

An ideal venue for many different events including wedding receptions, corporate days. business and group meetings, concerts, quiz nights and much more.

The community centre also benefits from a separate Sports Hall – where there are facilities to play badminton, table tennis, basketball, five a side football and more.

However, the hall is fast approaching it’s fiftieth birthday.

Residents got together in 1972 to fund raise for the hall and by 1973 the hall was built and being managed by a group of trustees.

The trustees were able to meet in July for the first time in many months and take stock of the ravages of time upon the hall.

It is apparent that much work is needed on the old hall to move it firmly into the twenty-first century and make it fit for purpose.

We have a long list of essential works that need to be carried out at the hall.

Urgent roof repairs. Extensive work required on the entrance borders. New toilets. Drain inspection. A decking area built at the rear of the hall. Hearing loop fitted throughout. Carpark extended. New kitchen floor. Re-decoration throughout. New furniture. New curtains. Screen and projector. Plus, so much more.

Several quotes have already been obtained for some of the works and it is already apparent that we will need approximately £100,000 to do all the works necessary.

We are asking the community and local businesses if they can help us raise the money necessary to carry out the works involved, by fund raising, donations (money, time, goods), offering grants or simply hiring the hall.

If you think you can help – please contact us through email address thorntonvillage@aol.com   –  www.thorntonvillage.org

Planning application refused – see the link for full details

https://publicdocuments.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/PublicAccess_LIVE/SearchResult/RunThirdPartySearch?FileSystemId=PL&FOLDER1_REF=20/00511/FUL

See the Nature Notes page for the June update from Andy Smith

https://mailchi.mp/rsnonline/rsn-rural-funding-digest-june-2021?e=2599677b52