News

The latest village quiz night at Thornton Community Centre raised £270 to be donated to an exciting new project at St Peter’s Church.

Watch this space for more information.

The Air Tattoo Returns! 

The Royal International Air Tattoo is returning for 2022, better than ever! From 15-17 July, RAF Fairford will be buzzing with 170,000 excited visitors and the Cotswolds will echo once again with the thrilling sights and sounds of several hundred aircraft of all shapes and sizes, from all eras and countries of the world, gathering for this unique adrenalin-fuelled occasion.

Join us for a special celebration to mark the United States Air Force’s 75th Anniversary and help us look to the future with our operational theme ‘Training the Next Generation Air Force’.

https://www.airtattoo.com/airshow

What has the show got to do with Thornton you may ask – well read on…

Thornton resident Eve Mills sent the following email with information for inclusion on the village website : –

“My daughter Joanna, will be performing at the Air Show this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I was wondering if a mention could be made on the Village Website. Just so that if any local people are there perhaps they could give her an extra loud cheer when she sings.

Joanna was born in Loughborough and now lives in London after moving there to continue her singing career.  She was the person who found us our lovely Thornton home over 12 years ago and visits regularly.  Loving the peace and quiet as we all do.  It’s her haven from the hectic life in London.

My husband Tim died last October and Joanna lived with us for most of his last 12 months to cheer him and to help care for her beloved ‘Pops’ as he became more poorly, until he passed away at home. With 2 years of lock down and such things as Festival and Air Show cancellations, Joanna is pleased to be able to pick up her career again.

Joanna’s stage name is Bunny Nightingale – more information can be found on Joanna’s website : –

https://www.bunnynightingale.com/

An extra cheer would be appreciated, especially as we’re expecting such hot weather.

Many thanks”

Eve Mills

Late Wednesday evening, on the 7th July, 7 residents from Thornton and 2 from Botcheston, gathered at the lychgate of St Peter’s church, Thornton to meet with bat expert Peter Proudlove from the Leicestershire and Rutland Bat Group to talk about the various bat species that we can expect to find in our area.

After a short talk about the habits and habitats of bats the group set off through the churchyard armed with bat detectors.

Having decided there was little activity in the churchyard the group made their way down to the reservoir for a short walk. Here the group members were treated to an aerial display from many bats, skimming the water in search of food; the bat detectors going into overdrive as the bats chattered away to each other.

Thank you Shirley for organising and providing good weather too.

If you are interested in attending one of these events then email : – batevents@outlook.com.

Each walk is free to bat group members or £3 for non-members.

This Sunday 1-6pm. The weather forecast is good and the gardens are looking stunning. All set for a lovely afternoon.
if you would like to plan your visit ahead, the programmes are already on sale from the Shop and the Nurseries. They will also be available tomorrow from The Brickies (and during the event from the Community Centre, Church, Brickies and participating gardens).
There may be a tennis final going on, of course, but if that threatens to distract you, you can always pick up a programme in advance and plan your visit – do some gardens before the match and some afterwards (that’s the beauty of living in the village concerned)!
And don’t forget the cream teas at the Community centre….mmmm……..

I still have room for a couple of gardens if anyone else would like to take part in that way. Thanks<

Lis

thornton.opengardens@outlook.com

Demonstration open to all, not just residents of Markfield

Sorry that it’s been awhile since the last working party.

There are quite a few jobs that need doing so, if you could join us on Saturday morning anytime between 10 and 12 noon, we would be very grateful.

Please bring gloves, a drink and any tools you think might be useful.

Thanks in anticipation – Shirley Garlick (St Peter’s Church Warden)

What a fabulous turn out at the Community Centre to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Saturday. For most of the afternoon the hall was full, with residents (and a few visitors) coming and going with family, friends and neighbours. Everyone enjoyed a free cream tea and a goodie bag (courtesy of the Parish Council). The visitors were able to have a natter whilst enjoying a back drop (over the stage) of the Queen’s Jubilee Trooping of the Colour and other celebratory events projected on the new big screen (purchased from a grant given to the Centre by Forterra brickworks) a great addition to the hall facilities. The younger children were able to have fun drawing and painting tiles also provided by the Parish Council.

Jane from the Thornton Club laid on a bar in the meeting room in the afternoon which stayed open during the evening whilst the live bands (Godaddydaddy and the Boodons) played music from the stage. (Courtesy of a grant made by the Community Centre trustees).

Although the event was entirely free to all – there was an opportunity for those that could, to make a donation if they wished – which they very generously did – raising £208 for the Friends of St Peter’s.

Huge thanks to all the ladies involved for all their hard work in making the event happen; from putting up the bunting, collecting the food, putting out tables and chairs and serving the teas – not to mention the big tidy up afterwards; and to regular visitor to the village, Ann, who helped with the bunting and took photographs of residents with the Queen.

Thank you – Mary, Maureen, Liz, Paula, Gill, Ann, Jane, Coral and family (and the Fox family for helping to tidy the Centre borders) apologies if I missed anyone.

The photographs can be viewed on the gallery page (a sub heading of the ‘about the village page’. I tried to make sure all were asked for permission to publish the photographs on the website – apologies if I missed anyone. If you are not happy with your photograph on the website let me know and I will remove it. Likewise contact me if you would like an original copy and I will obtain a digital one on email for you.

Commemorative tree

The Parish Council have given the Community Centre Trustees permission to plant a Platinum Jubilee commemorative tree at the rear of the Centre. I have contacted the National Forest to see if this could be a joint venture with them and had a promising reply. They hope to receive National Lottery funding for schemes/requests such as ours and will be in touch.

The recent Christian Aid collection in Thornton raised £195.16.

Thank you to everyone who delivered envelopes, were drop off points for donations, and to everyone who made a donation. 

Your gifts make a huge difference, helping people in drought torn countries grow seeds that will survive the harsh conditions.

Shirley Garlick

The Queen has arrived at Thornton Community Centre – she awaits the pleasure of her subjects to join her in an afternoon and evening of celebration.

2pm to 4pm at the Community Centre Saturday 4th June – FREE cream teas.

Please come and have a natter with friends and neighbours over a cuppa with scones, jam and cream.

Dance away the evening with music from Godaddydaddy (6.30pm to 8.30pm) & the Boodons (9pm to 11pm).

With a bar provided by the Thornton Club to be set up in the side room of the hall.

If you wish to make a donation that’s fine – monies will go towards the ongoing maintenance of St Peter’s church and churchyard.

Activities available for your ‘little ones’ – tile painting, picture drawing etc.

FREE – Platinum Jubilee ‘goodie bags’ to be given to residents on a first come basis.

Each bag contains a jubilee badge, a packet of wild flower seeds, union flags for making chain link decorations and a tea towel.