We were thrilled to welcome 368 visitors to our Open Gardens event this year. The village was a buzz of activity over the afternoon of Sunday 21st June with people following the trail to visit the twelve ‘open’ gardens. A real variety of gardens to suit all tastes were viewed by the appreciative visitors, some of whom had travelled from neighbouring counties.
The sun shone and it was a hot day – perhaps a little too hot but that suited those selling ice creams, and the excellent cream teas and other cakes at the Community Centre went down a treat too. The plant stall was a real success with many going away laden with pots from the large variety on offer. It is lovely to see the village come together to put on event like this and, although we were all exhausted by the end of the day, we were thrilled to have made a profit of over £2800. This will go towards the repairs and maintenance our St Peter’s Church. As well as thanking all those who helped in any way – including those who offered parking on their drives, a mention must also go to Wildwater Ponds who supported us with the publicity and printing costs this year.
APPEAL – Will you have space on your drive on the afternoon of Sunday 21st June during Open Gardens (1-6pm)?
If you live in Thornton and have a space that you would be happy for either another villager to use, or to offer for allocation to specific visitors, please could you message me or e-mail thornton.opengardens@outlook.com?
Along with parking at The Community Centre and the Club, a few extra cars on driveways would help reduce congestion on Main Street.
Please give this appeal some consideration. Thanks to those who have already come forward.
Thornton is preparing for a fantastic weekend of celebration, creativity and community spirit as the village launches an exciting brand-new annual event at the end of June.
From Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June, Thornton Community Centre will burst into life with three packed days of entertainment, arts, crafts, music, food, family activities and fundraising fun — all designed to support the Community Centre while bringing the whole village together.
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the welcome return of the hugely popular Celtic band Govannen. Famous for their energetic performances and infectious atmosphere, the band promises an unforgettable evening of lively music, dancing and great fun.
Dancing may not be compulsory — but organisers warn it’s very difficult to resist!
A licensed bar will also be available throughout the evening, making it the perfect start to an exciting community weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Community Centre transforms into the vibrant Thornton Artisan Festival, running from midday until 5pm on both days.
Visitors can explore a wonderful gallery of local artists, photographers and talented craft makers showcasing unique handmade creations and inspiring artwork. There will also be plenty to entertain younger visitors with children’s crafts, activities and interactive fun throughout the weekend.
One of the festival highlights will be a fascinating astronomy talk from BBC Sky at Night presenter Pete Lawrence, alongside the magical world of Sarah’s paper and toy theatre.
Live music, quizzes, raffles, delicious food and drink, plus a packed programme of entertainment ensure there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Entry to the festival is completely FREE, although donations to support the Community Centre will be warmly welcomed.
To make visiting easier, organisers are also providing a convenient Park & Ride service from South Charnwood High School directly to the Community Centre.
Organisers have also thanked Pallex for sponsoring the event and helping make the festival possible.
With music, creativity, entertainment and community spirit at its heart, the inaugural Thornton Festival Weekend looks set to become one of the village’s most anticipated annual events.
Make sure it’s in your diary — Thornton is ready to celebrate!
That’s right, many species of moths fly in the day, often in bright sunlight just as butterflies do. Probably the most familiar day flying moth to people is the Cinnabar. This smallish black and red moth is often seen in gardens. It lays its eggs on Ragwort plants and the “very hungry” black and yellow striped caterpillars do a fine job of keeping it in check. You can spot the plants later in the summer that have the caterpillars on, because they can be completely defoliated!
A fairly recent arrival to Leicestershire is the striking Scarlet Tiger moth and you have a good chance of seeing this beautiful moth flying in late afternoon and early evening sunshine, particularly in June. I have a thriving colony in my garden, but I am getting ahead of myself.
The story begins on a pleasant June evening in 2019 having a beer in the garden with a friend when a brightly coloured (we assumed butterfly) flew swiftly over our heads, that we couldn’t recognise. You could certainly be forgiven for thinking it must be a butterfly such as a Red Admiral, if you aren’t aware that it exists in our area.
But the next year I noted hairy, black and yellow caterpillars, feeding on the Comfrey plants in my garden in the spring. With the help of an online app I identified these as Scarlet Tiger caterpillars, and the penny dropped as to what we had seen the year before, which was probably an egg laden female searching for new areas.
My moth books (which are 25 years old) state that this species is found only in the south west of England, but I knew a few others had been seen in south Leicestershire recently.
In June 2020 we were treated to the first adults, some of which even adorned us as jewellery whist sitting in the garden………………………..
Since then, they have bred every year with numbers building incrementally until 2025, when they dropped a little; it will be interesting to see what 2026 brings?
If anyone notices adult or caterpillars of Scarlet Tiger this year, I’d be interested to know your address, the date and a rough count of numbers seen, so I can chart the spread of this species locally. Email me on wrig361@gmail.com
Other day flying moths are, I must admit harder to see. But this year I had the joy of seeing my first adult Emperor moth (and not one, but two!).
Despite being quite widespread across the country, the adults are rarely seen. The females fly very little, but give off a strong scent that attracts males from some distance away. It is these searching males that occasionally get seen. The development of synthetic pheromone lures in the last few years, has meant seeing these has become more possible.
On the 8th of April, after an unsuccessful search for them in the Soar valley on a unseasonable hot day, I returned home and decided to hang the lure on my washing line, whilst I had a much needed cup of tea.
And yo, within 10 minutes this male had approached and ultimately landed on the lure!
This was repeated again on the 25th April, with a different male appearing in my garden. After that I haven’t used the lure again, not wanting to disturb any males again in my vicinity this year.
Article by Thornton Resident – Dave Wright May 2026
Thornton, transitions from spring to summer with plenty of excitement this year. Several events are scheduled at the Community Centre beginning at the end of May and continuing through June, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
On Friday 29th May the Community centre will host 2 performances by Sarah’s Paper theatre, of the Golden Goose , a light hearted adventure with a happy ending, suitable for all ages. Entry for adults £5 and £2 for children.
A brief respite before the Markfield and Thornton theatre group presents a stage adaptation of the Vicar of Dibley, by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter based on the original tv series written by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew. Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions. A beloved British comedy; the plot centres around Geraldine Granger, a lively and unconventional vicar who surprises the sleepy village of Dibley by taking over—despite the parish council expecting a male vicar. Much of the comedy stems from Geraldine’s encounters with the eccentric locals and the humorous clash between her progressive views and their traditional ways. The play runs from Wednesday 10th to the 13th June. Tickets £8.
Sunday the 21st June sees the return of the beloved biennial Open Gardens. A number of gardens will be open between 1pm and 6pm. There will be refreshments, stalls and other attractions around the village, a plant sale, and cream teas available at the Community Centre. Admission is by programme, available at various locations around the village. Programme £5. Organised by Friends of St Peter as a fund raiser for the maintenance of the church.
On the following Friday evening, the 26th June, Govannen, one of the UK’s leading folk groups, return to Thornton for another magical evening of Celtic music at its best. There will be a licensed bar provided by McSmith Events. Tickets £20. Raising funds for a new heating system at Thornton Community centre.
The month concludes with the first of what is hoped to become an annual two day artisan festival at the Community centre. The centre is open from midday to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday 27th and the 28th June, The main hall will feature artwork and photography, whilst the sports hall features crafters and makers, and childrens’ crafts. Outdoors there will be food stalls, a bar, and live music. Donations welcome. Raising funds for a new heating system at the Centre.
Following the success of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ in January this year, Sarah’s Paper Theatre returns for Half Term, proudly presenting 2 performances of ‘The Golden Goose’.
A light-hearted, fun and colourful adaptation of this classic fairytale with live storytelling and atmospheric lighting and sound effects.
‘The Golden Goose’
Friday 29th May 2pm and 3pm
Thornton Community Centre Meeting room (Max 30 per show)
Includes a FREE paper Goose character for children
Sarah is among a handful of paper & toy theatre maker-performers in the UK, a specialist of the craft with a repertoire of handmade shows based on short stories and fairy tales performing at a wide range of UK venues as well as international festivals.
Thornton 