Thornton Community centre AGM
Thornton, transitions from spring to summer with plenty of excitement this year.
Thornton, transitions from spring to summer with plenty of excitement this year. Several events are scheduled at the Community Centre beginning at the end of May and continuing through June, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
On Friday 29th May the Community centre will host 2 performances by Sarah’s Paper theatre, of the Golden Goose , a light hearted adventure with a happy ending, suitable for all ages. Entry for adults £5 and £2 for children.
A brief respite before the Markfield and Thornton theatre group presents a stage adaptation of the Vicar of Dibley, by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter based on the original tv series written by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew. Produced by Tiger Aspect Productions. A beloved British comedy; the plot centres around Geraldine Granger, a lively and unconventional vicar who surprises the sleepy village of Dibley by taking over—despite the parish council expecting a male vicar. Much of the comedy stems from Geraldine’s encounters with the eccentric locals and the humorous clash between her progressive views and their traditional ways. The play runs from Wednesday 10th to the 13th June. Tickets £8.
Sunday the 21st June sees the return of the beloved biennial Open Gardens. A number of gardens will be open between 1pm and 6pm. There will be refreshments, stalls and other attractions around the village, a plant sale, and cream teas available at the Community Centre. Admission is by programme, available at various locations around the village. Programme £5. Organised by Friends of St Peter as a fund raiser for the maintenance of the church.
On the following Friday evening, the 26th June, Govannen, one of the UK’s leading folk groups, return to Thornton for another magical evening of Celtic music at its best. There will be a licensed bar provided by McSmith Events. Tickets £20. Raising funds for a new heating system at Thornton Community centre.
The month concludes with the first of what is hoped to become an annual two day artisan festival at the Community centre. The centre is open from midday to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday 27th and the 28th June, The main hall will feature artwork and photography, whilst the sports hall features crafters and makers, and childrens’ crafts. Outdoors there will be food stalls, a bar, and live music. Donations welcome. Raising funds for a new heating system at the Centre.
More information on www.thorntonvillage.org
Markfield & Thornton Theatre Group
Proudly present …..
Tiger Aspect Production presents an amateur stage adaptation of the beloved British sitcom, The Vicar of Dibley.
🎭 What’s the play about?
The plot centres around Geraldine Granger, a lively and unconventional vicar who surprises the sleepy village of Dibley by taking over—despite the parish council expecting a male vicar. Much of the comedy stems from Geraldine’s encounters with the eccentric locals and the humorous clash between her progressive views and their traditional ways. The script usually incorporates key moments from the TV show, such as:
- Geraldine’s arrival in Dibley
- Parish council meetings filled with quirky personalities
- Alice and Hugo’s budding romance
- Their famously chaotic wedding
✍️ Playwrights
The adaptation for the stage was written by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter, drawing inspiration from Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer’s original sitcom.
🌟 Main characters featured
- Geraldine Granger (the vicar)
- David Horton (the pompous council chairman)
- Alice Tinker (the lovable but scatterbrained verger)
- Hugo Horton (David’s timid son)
- Jim Trott (“No, no, no, no… yes!”)
- Owen Newitt (straightforward farmer)
- Frank Pickle (fastidious minute-taker)
🎬 Comedy style
This light-hearted production delivers feel-good British humour, often with rapid set changes between the parish hall and vicarage. It preserves the famous jokes and inviting warmth of the television series.
MTTG production features some new faces, alongside our regular performers.
For tickets, priced at £8 each, email us at mttg.theatre@gmail.com or ring Anne on 01530 469714 / 07450 137182
Thornton Community Centre – request for donations
Charity Number – 521506
History of the Community Centre and Sports Hall
The village’s spacious community centre and sports hall stand as a testament to the commitment and hard work of residents and fundraisers from the late 1960s and early 1970s. At that time, the village was experiencing growth yet lacked suitable venues for communal activities. Doctors, clubs, and other groups were forced to meet in private homes and public houses, highlighting the need for a dedicated gathering space.
In 1969, with the opportunity to access new land and the backing of the Parish Council, Reverend John Seymour and a committee initiated fundraising efforts and began planning for a community facility. Their dedication culminated in the construction of the main hall in 1973, built on leased land—a practice that continues to this day.
Further fundraising made it possible to add a separate sports hall, which was officially opened in September 1988.
Management of the Community Centre
The community centre is overseen by a dedicated team of unpaid volunteer trustees. These individuals play a pivotal role in maintaining and managing the facility, ensuring it continues to serve as a valuable asset for the village. New members are warmly encouraged to join the trustees, helping to safeguard this wonderful resource for the benefit of future generations. To facilitate the centre’s smooth operation, the trustees convene one evening every six weeks, addressing any issues and planning for ongoing improvements.
Revenue and Funding
Recent Improvements and Expenditure
In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the community centre has undergone a significant transformation, with numerous enhancements made to modernise the 53-year-old building. Essential works included the installation of a new drainage system and a new ceiling in the sports hall, the addition of extra toilets and a second kitchen, and the upgrade of lighting to energy-efficient LED fixtures and more. These improvements were crucial to ensure the centre remains functional and fit for purpose. Over £98,000 was invested to carry out these necessary works, with the drainage and ceiling repairs emerging as urgent priorities that were not part of the original plans but became essential to keep the centre open.
Future Projects and Urgent Needs
Planning permission was successfully obtained for the creation of a decked area at the rear of the centre and the extension of the car park. Although efforts are underway to secure funds to complete these projects, the centre is currently facing a more urgent requirement: replacement of the heating system in the main hall. This system, now 53 years old, has developed multiple leaks beneath the wooden floor in recent months, making its renewal a pressing priority for the remaining funds.
Sources of Revenue
The community centre depends almost entirely on payments and donations from regular user groups, fees from hiring the centre for parties and events, a modest annual precept from the parish council, and occasional small grants from local businesses. These sources form the backbone of the centre’s income and are vital for ongoing maintenance and improvements.
Appeal for Community Support
With fuel bills continuing to rise, the centre urgently needs support from the community in the form of donations to help sustain and further enhance its facilities. Every contribution, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated and will help ensure the centre remains open and accessible for all.
How to Donate
If you are able to contribute, please consider donating to the Thornton Community Centre fund. Donations can be made to the following account: Please use the reference ‘donation’.
- Sort Code: 09 01 54
- Account Number: 66997701
Thornton Artisan Festival 2026
Thornton Artisan Festival 2026 to Celebrate Local Creativity and Community Spirit
A brand-new celebration of art, craft, food and community is set to bring Thornton to life this summer as the Thornton Artisan Festival 2026 takes place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June at the Thornton Community Centre and Grounds, Main Street, Thornton.
Organised by the Community Events Committee supported by local artists and crafters, and residents McSmith Events.
The three-day festival aims to showcase the area’s creative talent while uniting residents and visitors for a vibrant, family-friendly weekend.
The festival has been designed with a clear purpose: to promote local talent and independent businesses, boost community pride, attract visitors to the area, and support small creative enterprises and local food producers.
All profits will go towards funding new central heating for the Community Centre, with £24,000 needed to complete the essential replacement of a failing 53-year-old system.
Festival organisers promise a lively and inclusive atmosphere, with the Community Centre and its grounds transformed into a hub of creativity and entertainment.
The Featured Artists Gallery in the Main Hall will display a curated exhibition of local art, photography and sculpture, while the Craft & Makers Market in the Sports Hall will showcase handmade goods from talented artisans and independent creators.
Outdoors, the Artisan Food & Drink Zone will celebrate local producers offering quality food and refreshments, and a Children’s Zone will keep younger visitors entertained. A Community Gallery Wall and live music will add to the weekend’s festivities, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The festival will open on Friday evening with a special ticketed performance by one of the UK’s best-known Celtic music bands, Govannen. Tickets are priced at £20 and must be pre-booked via thorntonvillage@aol.com.
Daytime entry to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is free, with funds raised through stallholder fees, sponsorship, advertising and a community raffle. Organisers are currently seeking prize donations and sponsorship from local businesses to help support the event. Sponsorship offers valuable promotion and visibility while directly contributing to the improvement of the Community Centre.
Artists, crafters, entertainers, food vendors and sponsors are all invited to get involved 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.
For updates and announcements, follow the festival on Facebook at Thornton Artisan Festival and on the village website www.thorntonvillage.org.
Workshop – Thornton Community Centre
Sunday March 1st 10.15-11.30
We have something a little bit different at Thornton Community Centre.
St Peter’s Church would like to invite you to a (free) workshop where you’ll create little metal charms called Milagros. Their full meaning will be explained on the day but they have a spiritual connection.
Our time together starts and ends with contemporary Christian song and a period of reflection or prayer.
Leading us will be the talented artist Hayley Fern from St. Johns Church, Hugglescote – some of you may recognise her from her pilgrimage to draw all the churches in the Leicester diocese.
https://www.instagram.com/hayleydrawschurches?igsh=MTE1cHVnYWw4MWFyOA==
Please do join us for a very creative hour or so. No age restrictions.
No charge, all materials provided and no experience required!
Please contact Delia if you have any queries on 07796391859
Thank you – Thornton Nurseries
Thank you Ben from Thornton Nurseries for supplying the plants and planting up the four planters along the driveway at Thornton Community Centre this week.
They look great. The plants have certainly been very well ‘watered in’.
In a strange anomaly it was discovered last year when some long lost plans of the centre were located in the Parish Council offices, that the driveway is not part of the lease agreement between the Community Centre and the Parish Council and therefore the maintenance of the borders is actually the responsibility of the PC.
The PC have worked within a very limited budget to get the borders tidied up to enhance the approach to the centre, and have relocated four large planters (donated by Bardon quarries) from the approach roads to the village where they had remained ‘unloved’ and ‘unkempt’ for a few years, onto the the borders on the understanding that they are maintained by the Trustees of the centre.
The trustees approached Thornton Nurseries for plants and Ben has kindly supplied and planted them up for the Centre at no charge.
Thank you so much for your Community spirit in helping the trustees maintain and improve the facilities at the Centre for the community and visitors to the many events planned over the next few months.
Sarah’s Paper Theatre – Thornton Community Centre
Sarahs Paper Theatre proudly presents a rare performance of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’
An English Toy Theatre play made and hand coloured from Victorian printed sheets, a charming atmospheric delight for the senses. It is a happy tale of how Jack rescues the fairies from the giant’s castle by climbing a beanstalk grown from magic beans.
Sarah is among a handful of paper & toy theatre maker-performers in the UK, a specialist of the craft with a repertoire of handmade shows based on short stories and fairy tales performing at a wide range of UK venues as well as international festivals. https://sarahspapertheatre.co.uk/
Available for paper theatre workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and talks.
Show 25 minutes. Suitable for aged 8 years +
The evening will also feature a brief introduction to Victorian toy theatre before the show with a Q and A and a look behind the scenes after the show. Theatre style seating in rows, limited to maximum 30 tickets.
The performance date is Friday 30th January 2026 in the Meeting Room in the Community Centre, Thornton
Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start to the evening.
Tickets are available from Sarah via email: sarahspapertheatre@gmail.com £7.00 each
Featured in ‘Homes and Antiques’ magazine December 2024
Comedy Night – Thornton Community Centre
They’re back .. following the success of the first Comedy Night at Thornton last October McSmith Events & Comedy Hotspot are proud to present a new act at the Centre on Friday 20th February 2026.
Space is limited so make sure you buy your tickets early – an ideal Christmas present perhaps.
Comedy Hotspot only bring the very best comedians to their shows, and our show at Thornton Community Centre is no exception. A line up of varied styles, who are all hilarious in their own right. Add a wonderful audience to that and it only means one thing, a superb night of live comedy. We will run the evening like a professional comedy club, ensuring we have the best possible atmosphere and conditions for live comedy.
We cannot wait to welcome you to what is going to be a great second Comedy Hotspot Comedy Event.
There will be a licensed bar at the centre.
Proceeds of a raffle will be donated to the Community Centre.
Annual Christmas Craft Fayre – 22nd November 10am until 2pm
Raising money for the repair and improvement of St Peter’s church.
22nd November 10am until 2pm at Thornton Community Centre.
Local food stalls including specialist beers, honey, jams and pickles, cakes and samosas, as well as beautifully crafted items.
Refreshments available all day.
Plus games and a chance to see Father Christmas in his grotto.
A village event not to miss.
Please help us raise money to help look after our lovely church.
Thornton 