News

This year’s Friends of St Peter’s Christmas Craft Fayre was one of the most successful yet, with a big increase in visitors and a total of £1345 raised for the repair and conservation of St Peter’s Church. A very generous donation of £200 from Midland Quarry took the total to £1545.A very jovial Father Christmas arrived at Thornton Community Centre on the back of a steam traction engine. It was a real joy to see Colin Harris driving the engine around the village with Father Christmas waving to folk as he passed by.The 21 stalls displaying a whole host of beautiful items, many homemade from knits, bags, pictures and calendars to decorations, jewellery, bird boxes, and chopping boards, were a delight to see. Visits to Father Christmas in his grotto, and activities and crafts in the children’s corner were enjoyed by many. Martin’s Christmas quiz was as popular as ever and provided much conversation and speculation. The usual cake stall, tombola and raffle were very well supported by everyone and there was many a bargain to be found on the Bric a Brac stall. The café proved so popular that the kitchen ran out of food – especially the delicious bacon cobs! Comments from the visitors and crafters alike were all about the friendly happy atmosphere that pervaded the day. Indeed all the crafters replied with a resounding ‘Yes’ when asked if they would like to book a stall next year.A huge thank you to the stall holders, helpers and visitors alike, who supported this joyful event. A lot of hard work and effort but well worth it all.The magnificent sum of money raised will help with the repairs to the church roof after thieves stole about 1 ton of lead in October. Thank you.

Less than two weeks to go to Thornton’s ever popular, village quiz night.

Over 60 places already booked – but we can squeeze a few more in to the hall. Don’t miss the opportunity for fish & chips in Thornton, courtesy of Ellistown Fish & Chip shop.

7pm (for a 7.30pm start) Friday 6th December at Thornton Community Centre.

£10 per person.

100 questions including a picture round, a connections (interval) round and 2 audio rounds. The questions will not be too difficult (I am writing them over the next few nights!)

Cash prizes for the top two teams (shared in the event of a tie). One round of card bingo for cash prizes.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a full team – we can sort teams on the night.

Interested??

Then contact Gill Tapping – gilltevents@aol.com – as soon as possible.

Live on BBC Radio Leicester 7pm Monday 23 December 2019 Sing along with the broadcast at: The Bricklayers Arms, Main St, Thornton.

The Friends of St Peter’s Church were pleased to announce that their annual Craft Fayre held on Saturday 16th November raised £1300 towards the church funds and Midland Quarry gave a donation of £200.

Special thanks to Colin Harris who brought Father Christmas to the Fayre by steam traction engine.

Come and start your Christmas Shopping with original and locally made gift ideas.

What is more…., Father Christmas will be arriving at the Craft Fayre on a steam engine! The steam engine will start from the old Reservoir Inn car park at 10 am, stopping at the Brick Layers Arms about 10.15 and finally arriving at Thornton Community Centre at 10.30am. . (Weather permitting)

MTTG announce their next pantomime – “Snow White”

Written and directed by Muriel Walker, “Snow-White” runs from Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th January 2020 at 7.30 p.m. nightly, with a matinee performance at 3.00 p.m. on the Saturday afternoon at Thornton Community Centre.

For more information see the full article on the MTTG page under the heading ‘Clubs and Societies’

Tickets (£5) are on sale at Thornton’s Corner Store, or from Anne, our Bookings Organiser on 01530469714

As part of the Thornton Community Development Project we will be looking to undertake a Community Survey in Thornton village in the New Year with a focus on community issues and opportunities to help identify what people in Thornton consider to be their collective assets and strengths and the things that they would like to see happen, or changed, in their community.  The results of this Survey could provide valuable evidence to help to direct future support for Thornton and assist local organisations with future funding applications etc.

During November I will be producing a first draft of the Survey and plan to send this to a number of local organisations and partners, to gain any initial feedback in order to help with its development.

If in the meantime you having any questions regarding the Survey, or have any particular thoughts on how the Community Survey may be of benefit, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The Thornton Community Development Project aims to:

-engage local people, organisations and service providers across Thornton in a community led process

-build on current facilities and services, or the lack of them, especially for children and young people

-build stronger connections between people and organisations

-identify issues and assets within or having an impact on Thornton

-help the community to take collective action to tackle issues to improve their area

-to work with key service providers to better target their resources in Thornton

https://www.facebook.com/ThorntonProject/?modal=admin_todo_tour

John Preston​ Neighbourhood Planning Officer Email: jpreston@ruralcc.org.uk RCC Unit S09, The Atkins, Lower Bond St, Hinckley,  LE10 1QU ​ ​

Shirley Garlick, Churchwarden, was contacted early on Wednesday 23rd October, by a villager reporting seeing damage to the St Peter’s church roof. On closer inspection 14 panels of lead had been stolen by a gang of professional thieves.

All the lead from the South Chancel roof and 7 panels from the South aisle were taken. Estimates suggest over 1 ton of lead was stolen.

The thieves damaged the lock on the gate at the far side of the reservoir and drove round to the gateway leading up to the church; it is believed they loaded the lead onto a smaller vehicle or trolley and wheeled it down to the waiting vehicle. They must have been there undisturbed for a considerable time.

Whilst throwing the cut lead off the roof one of the older headstones was damaged.

Torrential rain overnight poured through the roof onto the floors, carpet and altar before the roof could be made watertight. Fortunately other items had been removed to a drier place. More rainwater entered the building on Friday when high winds lifted the tarpaulin.

Huge thanks to D & G roofing for covering the roof with tarpaulins and everyone who helped with the mopping up and cleaning of the church.

Whilst the church becomes fit for purpose again services are being held at Thornton Community Centre.

This is the fourth attack on our church; two within the past 3 months. In August the thieves broke through the gates to the reservoir car park drove round and attempted to remove the lead; they failed, but damaged the roof in the attempt. Previously lead was taken on 28th March 2010 and on the 19th August 2017.

This is an evil, destructive crime – if anyone has any information then please contact either myself through this website, or Shirley Garlick.

Let us all be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour around the village.

The Christmas menu is available from Tuesday 3rd December to Saturday 21st December. Christmas and New Year events are also listed – for details see the amenities page and find the listing for the Bricklayers Arms