Tag: history

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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

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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

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TV – Channel 5 – Rich Lives, Poor Lives – Merry Lees

 Channel 5 series Rich Lives, Poor Lives, presented by Rob Rinder and Ruth Goodman follows the stories of rich and poor through historical events/periods. 

As part of our their new series they are filming an episode on Victorian Railways.  

Ruth is following the story of working class family the Arguile’s (Argyle’s).

Mary and her husband Peter Arguile lived in the station house at Merry Lees, (Merrylees, Mary Lees) they believe in the 1840’s. 

It is thought that Mary was in charge of running the station. 

The production team are asking if anyone in the locality has any more information about the station and or the family etc.

Does the station house still exist?

Are there any members of the Argyle family still living locally?

Does anyone have any other old photographs of the railway?

Below is a copy of the photograph they have discovered of the Station House.

RCHS Online Media Archive » Railways & Tramroads » London Midland & Scottish Railway Group » Midland Railway » Stations & Infrastructure » Leicester to Burton-on-Trent & branches » Merrylees Original Station.1954 (KSL @ 106m 26ch) (Ref: 030272)Merrylees Original Station.1954 (KSL @ 106m 26ch) (Ref: 030272)

Collection: Spence (Jeoffry) ROMA ID: 030272E  

Taken from Wikipedia : –

Merry Lees was a railway station on the Leicester to Burton upon Trent Line in Leicestershire. It was opened in 1832 and closed in 1871.

The Leicester and Swannington Railway opened the first Merry Lees station on 18 July 1832. The Midland Railway took over the line in 1845 and replaced the station with a second one 150 yards (140 m) to the north on 27 March 1848. The Midland renamed the station Merrylees station some time thereafter, and closed it on 1 March 1871. For the entire period from 1832 to 1871 the station was run by a station mistress, Mary Argyle.

If you have any information of relevance/interest – please email Gill at thorntonvillage@aol.com

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Charnwood Forest Geopark

New Local History Project Begins With Call for Volunteers


Earlier in 2025 we were pleased to fund a new project with the Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust (LVCHT) to undertake historical research introducing the history of the various communities of Charnwood Forest.

When complete, this will be made available online for the public.

This project builds on work undertaken between 2013 and 2017 as part of Charnwood Roots, with volunteers playing a prominent role in bringing records together and researching Charnwood Forest’s history.

For this new project some other historical information will also need to be collected, and that’s where volunteers have a new opportunity to get involved.

In early 2026 LVCHT will begin part of this project in Thornton and Botcheston.

If you’ve always wondered about how these places developed, who lived there and what they did for a living, this is your opportunity to help us find out!

You don’t need to have any experience of history research – although if you do, great!

You will be supported by a qualified historian, and free training will be provided.

Whilst some volunteers may wish to work locally, LVCHT can pay travel expenses for those wanting to explore the archive at the county record office in Wigston.

LVCHT would love to hear from you, so if you would like to find out more about joining them – please contact Dr Susan Kilby at sk565@leicester.ac.uk.

The overall project is being run by Dr Pam Fisher and Dr Susan Kilby at LVCHT.

This project is made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund support provided to the Charnwood Forest Landscape Partnership Scheme that underpins the Geopark.

Who are the Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust?

We are a registered charity (number 1128575) and a company registered in England and Wales (number 6683052).

Our aim is to research and publish the history of every town and village in Leicestershire, from earliest times to the present day.

This is part of a great national project which began towards the end of the reign of Queen Victoria, who accepted the dedication of the history. Since then, over 6,300 parish histories have been produced for places across England, each covering more than 1,000 years of history. Our aim is to ensure Leicestershire is fully represented in this national series. 

So far, Leicestershire has five of the iconic ‘big red books’, covering general themes in the county’s history, and more detailed accounts of the city and 43 towns and villages in south-east Leicestershire, including Market Harborough and surrounding villages. These were published between 1907 and 1964, and the parish histories can be read online. Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust was formed in 2008 to continue the series. Working with volunteers across the county, we have published paperback histories of Castle Donington,  Buckminster and Sewstern, and Ibstock. We have also published online histories of Kirby Bellars, Leire and Welby, and some shorter sections for a number of villages near Leicester.

Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust is reliant on grants and personal donations to fund our work? You can become a Friend of Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust in exchange for an annual donation of at least £20, or join our 200 Club for £50 annually, when you will be entered into a quarterly draw for a cash prize. Terms and conditions can be found on our application forms for the Friends or our 200 Club. Donations can also be made through Paypal.

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Heritage Weekend – St Peter’s, Thornton

Last weekend as part of Leicestershire Heritage weekend, St Peter’s church, Thornton was open to the public, boards displaying the  history of the village and local historian, Pete Leadbetter were available and created a great deal of interest for the visitors.

96 visitors came to the church over the 2 days and over £200 donated for tea and cakes.

Organised by the Friends of St Peter’s.

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Heritage Open Days & The National Churches Trust ‘Ride & Stride’

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture!

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Heritage Open Days are England’s largest community led festival of history and culture events which celebrate our heritage, community and history.

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/printable-area-lists/leicestershire.html

Also every September the National Churches Trust organises ‘Ride and Stride’ for churches – sponsored cycle rides and walks that raise money for the restoration and maintenance of our historic churches and chapels.

https://www.lhct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/

Check out the two links for more information on sites and churches open during September, and please drop in at St Peter’s, Thornton, to view the church and the display of local history. Refreshments available.

Limited street parking. Access from Church Lane by the Corner shop, or take a stroll along the path at Thornton reservoir and walk up to the church from the reservoir.

St Peter’s Church, Thornton

Very largely Early English in character; the nave and the two aisles dating from the beginning of the 14th century or slightly earlier.

St Peter’s church is Grade I listed.

The west tower and spire and the nave clerestory are Perpendicular, added in the 15th century, and the chancel was rebuilt in 1864. The north arcade of the nave has massive octagonal pillars, while that on the south side has quatrefoil pillars. The north aisle has a rare window of ‘ox eye’ design, a cusped spherical triangle. The nave has a full set of Tudor benches, dating from the 1560s their bench ends having carved linenfold panelling.

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Heritage weekend at St Peter’s Church, Thornton

Whether you have links with Thornton or are a lover of local history, we invite you to our Heritage weekend, being held at St Peter’s Church in Thornton (LE67 1AA) on:

Saturday 13th September: 10am – 6pm and Sunday 14th September: 1 – 4.30pm. •

Explore our lovely Grade 1 listed historical church for yourselves and discover its wealth •

Visit our ‘Historic Thornton’ Exhibition with fascinating insights into the history of the village •

Examine old maps of Thornton (1794-1919). •

Chat with a local amateur historian •

NEW THIS YEAR! Cake Stall – home-baked cakes (Saturday) •

Part of national ‘heritage open days’ www.heritageopendays.org.uk •

Refreshments on sale • Free entry •

Organised by the ‘Friends of St Peter’s’

Unfortunately access to the church is by steps and there is currently no wheelchair access – (but we are working on it).