Raising funds for the Community Centre towards new chairs, tables and storage trolleys.
Thornton Quiz Night – Saturday 8th March 2025
Festive quiz – the results are in
Thank you everyone for taking part – £86 was raised for the Community Centre from the ‘sales’ of the quiz paper.
This one proved a bit trickier than usual – I thought it was easy but then I knew the answers! No one got all the answers correct this time but three entries had 48 out of the 50 correct. Well done to Sue B, Lynda T and Adam K.
But there can only be one winner and after an independent draw of the 3 papers the winner of the cash prize was Lynda Tyers.
Thank you to Thornton Nurseries for selling the quizzes in the cafe.
For those interested in the answers – they are as follows:-
01. Goes crazy at Christmas (8) CRACKERS
02. All by yourself (4, 5) HOME ALONE
03. That old story (8) CHESTNUT (Not nativity – this one caught a lot of folk out)
04. Charts the Festive Season (6, 8) ADVENT CALENDAR
05. The Simpsons family dog (6,6,6) SANTAS LITTLE HELPER
06. A Londoner sees with these (5, 4) MINCE PIES
07. Phrase often used in May’s 2017 election campaign (6, 3, 6) STRONG AND STABLE
08. Joseph’s occupation helped him nail it (9) CARPENTER
09. Carrier for coal or potatoes maybe (4) SACK
10. Trog goes to this cave (6) GROTTO
11. Funny man Skinner is enraged (12) FRANKINCENSE
12. At this very late hour does it matter (8, 4) MIDNIGHT MASS
13. Top Gun’s maverick navigator (5) GOOSE
14. Trio of monarchs (5, 5) THREE KINGS
15. In an American League of its own (3) IVY
16. Fork handles, you must have misheard (4, 7) FOUR CANDLES
17. Ernie, Ernie, Ernie (5, 4, 3) THREE WISE MEN
18. Brrr he’s frosty today (3, 7) THE SNOWMAN
19. The elf’s prickly pal (5, 5) BUDDY HOLLY (Some put Holly Berry for this one)
20. Hollywood (10) TINSELTOWN
21. Keeping the cops warm (4, 2, 8) PIGS IN BLANKETS
22. This Scandinavian is elegant, smart and dapper (9, 6) NORWEGIAN SPRUCE
23. Born here, Asian or European or a bit of both (6) TURKEY
24. Their crib, ‘ragmen’ live here (6) MANGER
25. Party time, 24 hours of punch (6, 3) BOXING DAY
26. Pagan, parasitic and poisonous (9) MISTLETOE
27. Choice of container, tin, plastic, cardboard (9, 3) SELECTION BOX (Some put Christmas Box)
28. Probably grows in Belgium (8,6) BRUSSELS SPROUT
29. Listen, do they signal the coming of Christ (4, 3, 6, 6) HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING
30. Many of the ‘rat pack’ dreamed of this at one time or another (1,5,9 ) A White Christmas
31. Skinflint (7) SCROOGE
32. A Swiss smile maybe (3, 6) THE GRINCH (Most put Say Cheese – but CH are the letters denoting Switzerland and GRIN is a smile)
33. A Yuletide song (1, 9, 5) A CHRISTMAS CAROL
34. Small percussionist (6, 7, 3) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
35. Billy Bob Thornton’s Naughty Nicholas is no Saint (3, 5) BAD SANTA
36. All is quiet, and the sun has set (6, 5) SILENT NIGHT
37. Star turn at Red Nose Day (7) RUDOLF
38. Pam, Tim and One other will star  in this show (9)  PANTOMIME
39. Trois poules (5, 6, 4) THREE FRENCH HENS
40. A celestial object (5) COMET (Some put Angel)
41. The clink of ice in a glass of Whisky (6, 5) JINGLE BELLS
42. Not out (3) INN
43. Sprite, often described as mild and green (5) FAIRY
44. Fred’s initial security device keeps the pen closed (5) FLOCK
45. Spoil + Fastener + Pot (8) MARZIPAN
46. In a fight, have this knocked out of you (8) STUFFING
47. A walker, you’ll have a stick and use this Compass point at Xmas (5, 4) NORTH POLE
48. Badges of honour (11) DECORATIONS
49. Christmas hymn needing maintenance (5, 7) CAROL SERVICE
50. Call this alcohol, what a cheek (6, 5) BRANDY SAUCE
Nature Notes
See the Nature Notes page for the latest update by resident Andy Smith, and his roundup of the year with some exciting newcomers to the reservoir during 2024.
And what a super start to the new year with an aurora captured on camera over the church on New Year’s day evening.
LOROS ~ Recycle your tree
Coming soon ~ don’t forget to book your ticket..
Markfield and Thornton theatre group
Proudly present their latest interactive murder mystery at Thornton Community centre from Wednesday 15th to Saturday 18th January ’25.
All tickets £8 ~ book now to avoid disappointment.
See poster for contact details.
Cafe style seating ~ bring your own food and drink.
Fancy dress optional.
A ‘thank you’ from Thornton Community Centre trustees
Regular users of the Centre will notice just how much work has taken place during the past 12 months at the Centre, especially in the Sports hall, where the ceiling failed a fire safety test and was in danger of closing. The decision was made to replace the ceiling and insulation and install new expensive sound absorbing pads. Finishing off with repainting throughout. A new kitchen was created in part of the old storeroom and two new toilets created where the old kitchen had been.
The trustees would like to thank builder Tim Baker (TLB Construction Services Ltd) and his team for the magnificent work they have done on our behalf – on time and on budget.
We would also like to thank local decorator Dave Goodburn for re painting the Sports hall at short notice after the ceiling was replaced.
Electrician, Jon Loseby, from Bagworth, has continued to sort out all the electrical installations at the Centre for us, not always straightforward with a 51 year old building.
J.S. Lectrics – contact Jon Loseby on 01530 230103 or 072825 588599 or email jonloseby@gmail.com.
Gas safe registered heating engineer, Tom Orme from Thornton also continues to look after the Centre’s heating, thermostats and boilers.
Email: – charnwoodheatingservices@gmail.com Tel: – 07968 231991
Last but not least, we give thanks to Danny Jeffrey (DJ’s garden maintenance).
Earlier this year the trustees engaged Danny to take over mowing the grass at the rear of the centre and to keep the hedges trimmed. Prior to this the Parish Council were responsible for this work and it was a bit ‘hit and miss’; now the trustees have control we can ensure that the grass is kept neat and tidy especially for special events at the Centre. Danny has done a great job in licking this overgrown area into shape, hopefully by next summer it will look even better.
Danny has his own Facebook page (DJ’s garden maintenance) or can be contacted on 07938 806203 (email – dannyjeffrey144@yahoo.co.uk)
Thornton Community Centre – Pall-Ex Group Charity Foundation
The Trustees of Thornton Community Centre thank Kevin Buchanan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Pall~Ex Group, for enabling the generous £1,000 donation from the company to the Centre. The funds were used to help replace the vandalised Main Hall double doors, which cost £2,500 + VAT. The doors have been designed (wider than the original doors) to allow easier access for mobility aids and pushchairs etc.
Thank you for your kindness. The trustees hope you will keep supporting the Centre and use our great facilities.
The results are in… St Peter’s ~ Christmas Tree festival
This year the theme for decorating the Christmas trees was ‘a Green Christmas’ with the emphasis on using anything that could or would be recycled.
Visitors were able to visit St Peter’s Church during a period of 9 hours over the two days, Voting slips were available for those who wished to vote for either one or more of their favourite trees in the three categories.
The winners in each category were:
a) Best Adult: Tree No. 8 – ‘Nature’s Decorations’. Submitted by 3Ts group.
b) Best Children/Family: Tree No. 6 – ‘A ‘Green’ Green Christmas’ submitted by Little Angels church group.
c) Most Ingenious/Original Design: Tree No. 3 – ‘Merry Eggmas’ submitted by Friends of Thornton Primary School.
A total of £109 was given in donations by visitors over the two days. This was from the 50p entrance fee and donations for refreshments.
There were an impressive 144 visitors to the church.
The event was organised by the Friends of St Peter’s (FOSP). An annual event and part of their fund raising efforts to support the maintenance of the church and churchyard.
Below is a selection of photographs of some of the trees and decorations in the church ~ taken by local photographer Ann Barwell.
St Peter’s Church
Good morning everyone
The Christmas Tree Festival starts today at 11am! The trees and the church look beautiful, already for people to visit.
There is an opportunity to write a message to Martin on his ‘retirement ‘ next Sunday, 22nd December, and to make a donation for him if you would like.
The Carol Service – 9 Lessons and Carols – takes place tomorrow, Sunday from 6 pm and will be followed by refreshments and mulled wine.
Over the weekend the church will be open as follows:
Saturday – 11am to 5pm
Sunday – 2pm until 5pm.
Refreshments available.
Hope you can visit. Everyone is welcome.
Shirley and the team.
Three x T’s – Thornton Tea with a Twist
It was lovely to see so many at the last meeting of the year on Wednesday 4th December.
We wish all our ‘regulars’ a really lovely happy Christmas and healthy New Year.
The ‘team’ look forward to seeing you and to welcoming lots of new faces in the New Year.
Three T’s will meet on the following dates in 2025:
Jan 8th and 22nd                                                                                        Â
Feb  5th and 19th
March  5th and 19th                                                                           Â
April  2nd and 16th and 30th
May  14th and 28th                                                                              Â
June 11th and 25th
July   9th and 23rd                                                                                   Â
Aug  6th and 20th
Sept  3rd and 17th                                                                                 Â
Oct  1st and 15th  and  29th
Nov 12th and 26th                                                                                 Â
Dec 3rd
And don’t forget the book club that starts in January at Thornton Nurseries – contact Shirley for more information – shirley.garlick19@btinternet.com
Shirley & the ‘team’ xx
Thornton 