Tag: festival

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Celebration of Angels – only 2 weeks away

Closing date for entries – Saturday 6th December – send to Mary Gibson at 232 Main Street, Thornton.

Download your entry form here ..

Celebration of AngelsDownload

Or collect from the Corner shop.

This year we are celebrating angels at St Peter’s church, Thornton during the weekend of 13th and 14th of December.

You are invited to help us in this venture by creating your version of celebrating angels in whatever medium you choose.  It could be decorating a Christmas Tree with angels, paper chains of angels, mobile of angels, knitted angels – anything that is angelic.

Prizes will be awarded to the best in three different categories as judged by the people visiting the celebration during the weekend. 

Prizes will be given out after the Carol Service which will take place at 6pm on Sunday, 14th December.

Posted on

Govannen – they’re back ..

By popular demand Govannen are back in Thornton in June 2026.

They will be playing at Thornton Community Centre on Friday 26th June as part of a big fund-raising weekend for the Centre.

Space is limited at the Centre, so to avoid disappointment – email thorntonvillage@aol.com to reserve your tickets now.

Looking for the perfect Christmas present? Why not treat your loved ones to tickets and give them something to look forward to in the summer.

Thanks to local residents – McSmith Events – we are now able to offer a licensed bar for Centre events.

Who are Govannen?

Govannen – are one of the best Celtic music bands in the UK, blending jigs & reels with traditional & contemporary Irish songs. They celebrated 30 years together in 2024.

Concerts – a Govannen concert is a special mix of traditional & contemporary music & songs, delivered with good humour.

Ceilidhs & Barn Dances – Govannen are the perfect choice for ceilidhs and barn dances for weddings, functions and parties, where the emphasis is on fun.

Albums – Ranging from atmospheric Celtic chill-out music to live pub recordings, Govannen have sold over 10,000 albums worldwide. Two of their albums have won awards in the USA.
“Govannen play with passion, artistry and an easy going good humour, each in good measure for a night to remember” – Time Out

Govannen –
Dan Britton – vocals, guitar, bodhran
Adele McMahon – violin, vocals
Chris Conway – keyboards, Irish whistles, vocals
Roger Wilson – violin, vocals
Neil Rabjohn – percussion, vocals.
+
Ray Jane – dance caller, flute, tin whistle

This will be their fourth visit to Thornton – the band loves playing here, and always receive a very warm welcome. They are delighted to be instrumental in helping to raise much needed funds for the centre.

The next major works is the replacement of the 52 year old central heating system in the Main Hall, the old pipework has begun to spring leaks under the main hall wooden floor – big money required!

Thornton Artisan Festival – Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 2026

Preparations are being made to follow the Friday evening event with the first Thornton Artisan Festival, hopefully to become an annual event to replace the old Thornton Carnival.

The Thornton Artisan Festival 2026 will be a two-day community celebration (12 midday to 5pm) showcasing the best of local creativity across art, photography, sculpture, craft, and food; with a strong emphasis on local artists, crafters and food producers; interspersed with entertainment for all.

If you have any ideas or would like to be involved please contact us on … thorntonartisan@gmail.com