News

Last Saturday saw the welcome return of the Seniors Christmas party at the Community Centre. This annual event has been held for many years in the village.

Last year because of the Covid lockdown instead of the party, pensioners in the village were treated to a much appreciated Christmas hamper each.

It was so lovely to see the hall decked out for a party, together with the theatre group’s Christmas tree on stage. The tables looked magnificent, each with a table decoration (not to mention a bottle of Cava).

The doors opened at 4pm and people were buzzing as they came in, obviously excited at the thought of ‘normality’ and meeting up with other residents they hadn’t seen for some time.

Fifty one residents were served with a glorious afternoon tea of sandwiches, nibbles, delicious puddings and cakes, all washed down with copious amounts of tea interspersed with Cava and bottles of wine.

Raffle tickets were purchased and after the tables were cleared the prizes were drawn. There must have been about 20 raffle prizes all kindly donated mainly by the ‘helpers’ and their families and some brought by the party goers – although well wrapped, most looked like bottles and I don’t mean milk bottles!

Food and prizes sorted – the band, Go Daddy Daddy, were set up and ready to go. The party got started with a bit of ‘rock and roll’, by ‘dancing the night away’ to the Mavericks, and all the favourite songs from our ‘youth’. Zimmer frames were parked, sticks abandoned, creaking hips and dodgy knees ignored, nothing was going to stop everyone having a good time. After such a horrid 20 months it was lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves.

To show our appreciation for all the effort and hard work of Maureen and Angeline and their 6 helpers there was a ‘whip round’ for the ‘girls’ which raised £120. Unsurprisingly they refused to accept this, but instead the money will be put towards next years party – enough for two bottles of Cava per table!!

Here’s to the next one. If you would like to help in anyway or make a donation or gift a raffle prize – email: – thorntonvillage@aol.com

Thornton Christmas Tree Festival will be held at St. Peter’s Church, Thornton over the weekend of Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December 2021.

Would you like to exhibit a tree at St. Peter’s Church as part of the Thornton Christmas Tree Festival?

Then download your application form here:-

The theme of the Festival is “Christmas stories and films in any media”.
Please Note: Battery-operated lights only (no electrical leads/cables permitted).

Closing Date for entries: 6th December to Sue Bakewell, 8 Church Lane, Thornton.
Please Note: Entries are restricted to 30 trees in total and so will be on a ‘First Come, First Accepted’

Terms and Conditions

Height of tree:
Trees up to 1m (38”) high will be displayed above floor level on boards etc; all trees over 1m high will be displayed on the floor.
Entry Category: Children/Family Adult. Choose a title on which the tree decoration will be based.

St. Peter’s will be open on Friday 10th December, 2pm – 7pm for you to bring your tree into the church and decorate it. You will be allocated your space on arrival. If you need to come outside of those times, please contact Sue; email suembakewell@gmail.com / telephone 01530 231625 to arrange a mutually convenient time.

St. Peter’s will be open on Tuesday 14th December, 2pm – 7pm for you to take down and remove your tree. If you need to come outside of those times or wish to leave your tree for the Christmas Services, please contact Sue to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Festival Prizes:
There will be 3 prizes: the best tree decorated by adults, the best tree decorated by children/family, and the most ingenious or original design.

Come and see the beautiful old village church adorned with Christmas trees. This year the theme is ‘Christmas Stories’

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Craft Fayre last weekend.

After expenses were claimed, (lots weren’t) we raised an amazing £1590

Every penny of which goes towards the maintenance and repair of our beautiful church.

Check out the recent update to the Nature Notes page for more information.

Arriving at the Reservoir Inn around 10am, touring the village on Colin’s steam engine visiting Highfields, Main Street, top and bottom, before arriving at the Community Centre for a day in his Grotto seeing little people.

Craft fayre opens at 10am. Lots to do and see including making Christmas decorations. See you there!

Father Christmas will be in attendance from about 10.30 in his grotto with a sack of small gifts. (cost to visit him is £1).

Excitingly, he will arrive by Steam Traction engine! He will board the engine at the Reservoir Inn around 10 am and make his way through the village via Highfields and Main Street all the way to the Stanton end of the village before coming back and arriving at the Community Centre at 10.30am.

What’s on offer? Lots of craft stalls, a children’s activity table making Christmas decorations, cake stall, raffle and tombola stalls, food and drinks from our cafe and of course Martin’s quiz.

There is a small entrance charge of 50p per adult. Hand sanitiser will be available. Masks welcome.

If you are able to come we really would appreciate your support please.

Please spread the word far and wide about this lovely, happy village event.

Thank you.

County Councillor Peter Bedford has been contacted by Severn Trent to confirm that the car park will be closed from 11th November 2021 for 6 weeks to facilitate repair works to the car park.

Further information will be posted by Severn Trent over the coming days and Mr Bedford will be able to update residents as soon as these are published.

There will be restricted access through the churchyard via the Lychgate all day on Wednesday 3rd November from 7.45am   to allow the felling of a diseased beech tree.

To access the reservoir please use the footpath through the recreation ground, by the side of the school, or via Reservoir Road.

We are really sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Shirley Garlick