FRIENDS OF ST PETER’S (village fundraising group supporting St Peter’s Church, Thornton) will be holding their ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Wednesday 13th May at 7.30 pm at St Peter’s Church. Everyone is invited.
Cool breezy weather in early March encouraged birds to linger and migration seemed to be on hold.
A single Egyptian Goose was at the out flow on the 11th and two Ravens were fly overs.
On the 13th 120 Starlings were heading east and eight Snipe were at the Top End.
Two Kingfishers were chasing each other on the 14th and photos from a nearby private site confirmed mating.
Warm and sunny weather on March 18th had Brimstone and Peacock on the wing and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming from the Church yard.
Noctule and Pipistrelle bats were also out at dusk.
On the 19th good numbers of Smooth Newts were active in the garden pond and the Wigeon count on the reservoir reached 61.
The final Webs count took place on March 21st and totals included 75 Mallard, 44 Tufted Duck, 35 Coot,25 Great Crested Grebe and 22 Moorhen. Also on this date 9 Buzzards, 4 Skylarks and my first Holly Blue of the year were noted.
March 25th observations revealed that seasonal change overs were taking place. A female Brambling was feeding up before heading back north, and three male Swallows were new in from their wintering grounds at the Western Cape of South Africa.
On the following day a Little Ringed Plover was on the dam and more recently there has been a probable pair.
As March drew to a close Buzzards, Red Kites, Peregrines Sparrowhawks and Kestrel were all recorded, and many were displaying.
My first Comma was sunning itself on the month’s final day.
April has commenced with typically changeable weather and some very warm days.
On the first a male Goosander was heading north, and on the second a Tortoiseshell butterfly was in the garden.
On April 5th Sandmartin numbers had increased to 130 but the highlight was an Osprey that flew west.
On the following day three Common Sandpipers were on the dam, three Red Kite were circling and Linnet was added to the year list.
Orange Tip was an addition to the butterfly list.
The thrill of April 8th was a stunning male Emperor Moth found by Dave.
Copyright Dave Wright
This species despite being common and well distributed is rarely seen. This may be due to a short flight season, so the glorious weather was an important factor.
As I write summer visitors are arriving with House Martin and Willow Warbler new in. The dawn chorus is in full swing as bird species commence their breeding cycle.
Avoiding disturbance of hidden nests is much appreciated at this time.
Andy Smith 11/04/2026
Willow warblerSwallowLittle Ringed ploverFemale bramblingEgyptian goose – all copyright of Andy Smith.
See the separate Nature Notes page for more information.
There will be a churchyard working party this Saturday (11th April) from 10am until 12 noon.
All the usual jobs as ever! Do hope you are able to join us even for a short while. Remember stout gloves, and shoes and any tools you might like to use.
A Celebration of Community, Creativity, and Local Talent
Residents and visitors alike have two fantastic weekends to anticipate in June 2026, as Thornton gears up for a pair of remarkable community occasions.
Open Gardens Returns
On Sunday 21st June, the much-loved biennial Open Gardens event will make its return. This cherished community gathering offers a unique chance to explore some of Thornton’s most beautiful gardens and celebrate the area’s horticultural talent.
Introducing the Thornton Artisan Festival
The following weekend, from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June, Thornton will host the inaugural Thornton Artisan Festival. This new annual event aims to highlight and celebrate local creativity and the vibrant community spirit that defines the area.
Thornton Artisan Festival 2026: Celebrating Local Creativity and Community Spirit
Festival Overview
Set to take place at the Thornton Community Centre and Grounds on Main Street, the Thornton Artisan Festival 2026 is poised to become a highlight of the summer calendar. Organised by the Community Events Committee and supported by local artists, crafters, and residents McSmith Events, the festival is designed to bring the community together for a three-day celebration of art, craft, food, and entertainment.
Festival Goals
The festival’s primary objectives are to showcase local talent and independent businesses, foster a sense of community pride, attract visitors to the area, and provide support for small creative enterprises and local food producers.
All profits generated will go towards funding a new central heating system for the Community Centre, an essential upgrade requiring £24,000 to replace the existing, failing 53-year-old installation.
What to Expect
Festival organisers promise a lively and inclusive atmosphere. The Community Centre and its grounds will be transformed into a hub of creativity, featuring:
Featured Artists Gallery: The Main Hall will host a curated exhibition of local art, photography, and sculpture.
Craft & Makers Market: The Sports Hall will showcase handmade goods from talented artisans and independent creators.
Artisan Food & Drink Zone: Outdoors, local producers will offer quality food and refreshments.
Children’s Zone: Activities and entertainment tailored for younger visitors.
Community Gallery Wall: A space for residents to display their creative works.
Live Music: Performances throughout the weekend to enhance the festivities.
Festival Opening and Entry Details
The festival will commence on Friday evening with a special ticketed performance by renowned Celtic music band Govannen. Tickets are priced at £20 and must be booked in advance via thorntonvillage@aol.com. Tickets are selling fast – don’t delay in booking yours!
Daytime entry on Saturday and Sunday will be free. Funds will be raised through stallholder fees, sponsorship, advertising, programme (£1) and a community raffle. Organisers are actively seeking prize donations and sponsorship from local businesses, which offer valuable promotional opportunities and directly contribute to the Community Centre’s improvement.
Get Involved
Artists, crafters, entertainers, food vendors, and sponsors are encouraged to participate in this exciting new community venture. Those interested in booking a stall, donating raffle prizes, or becoming a sponsor can request further details and a booking form by contacting thorntonartisan@gmail.com.
Thornton is holding its biennial Open Gardens event on Sunday 21st June from 1-6pm.  Contrasting gardens will be open for you to wander around and enjoy. There will also be refreshments – including cream teas –  and a plant stall.
Dogs on leads are welcome at many of the gardens.
Proceeds All proceeds from this event are for the maintenance, restoration and improvement of our beautiful historic church.
Cost £5.00, accompanied children free.
How to get tickets / programmes Programmes will be available from Thornton Nurseries, The Bricklayers Arms, The Corner Shop. St. Peter’s Church, all participating gardens and the Community Centre.
Directions / Parking Head for LE67 IAH Some parking is available at the Community Centre.
Accessibility: It should be noted that Thornton is built on a ridge and so many of the gardens are on slopes or are terraced with steps and are therefore not ideal for those in wheelchairs or with impaired mobility. Some of the pavements are also narrow. Our printed programme attempts to indicate those more suitable.
There is also an Easter Trail around the churchyard from Tuesday 31st March to Monday 6th April
Telling the Easter story with activities (see poster below)
Church Building Open
As well as these, please note that the church building will be open over the weekend for prayer, reflection or just to have a look around. Times as follows:
Friday 11.30 – 5
Saturday 10 – 5
Sunday 9 – 5
If anyone needs a lift to Stanton on Thursday or Sunday, please let us know.
Can we take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Easter
Thornton 