Tag: refreshments

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Exciting June Events in Thornton

A Celebration of Community, Creativity, and Local Talent

Residents and visitors alike have two fantastic weekends to anticipate in June 2026, as Thornton gears up for a pair of remarkable community occasions.

Open Gardens Returns

On Sunday 21st June, the much-loved biennial Open Gardens event will make its return. This cherished community gathering offers a unique chance to explore some of Thornton’s most beautiful gardens and celebrate the area’s horticultural talent.

Introducing the Thornton Artisan Festival

The following weekend, from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June, Thornton will host the inaugural Thornton Artisan Festival. This new annual event aims to highlight and celebrate local creativity and the vibrant community spirit that defines the area.

Thornton Artisan Festival 2026: Celebrating Local Creativity and Community Spirit

Festival Overview

Set to take place at the Thornton Community Centre and Grounds on Main Street, the Thornton Artisan Festival 2026 is poised to become a highlight of the summer calendar. Organised by the Community Events Committee and supported by local artists, crafters, and residents McSmith Events, the festival is designed to bring the community together for a three-day celebration of art, craft, food, and entertainment.

Festival Goals

The festival’s primary objectives are to showcase local talent and independent businesses, foster a sense of community pride, attract visitors to the area, and provide support for small creative enterprises and local food producers.

All profits generated will go towards funding a new central heating system for the Community Centre, an essential upgrade requiring £24,000 to replace the existing, failing 53-year-old installation.

What to Expect

Festival organisers promise a lively and inclusive atmosphere. The Community Centre and its grounds will be transformed into a hub of creativity, featuring:

  • Featured Artists Gallery: The Main Hall will host a curated exhibition of local art, photography, and sculpture.
  • Craft & Makers Market: The Sports Hall will showcase handmade goods from talented artisans and independent creators.
  • Artisan Food & Drink Zone: Outdoors, local producers will offer quality food and refreshments.
  • Children’s Zone: Activities and entertainment tailored for younger visitors.
  • Community Gallery Wall: A space for residents to display their creative works.
  • Live Music: Performances throughout the weekend to enhance the festivities.

Festival Opening and Entry Details

The festival will commence on Friday evening with a special ticketed performance by renowned Celtic music band Govannen. Tickets are priced at £20 and must be booked in advance via thorntonvillage@aol.com. Tickets are selling fast – don’t delay in booking yours!

Daytime entry on Saturday and Sunday will be free. Funds will be raised through stallholder fees, sponsorship, advertising, programme (£1) and a community raffle. Organisers are actively seeking prize donations and sponsorship from local businesses, which offer valuable promotional opportunities and directly contribute to the Community Centre’s improvement.

Get Involved

Artists, crafters, entertainers, food vendors, and sponsors are encouraged to participate 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.

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Thornton Open Gardens – Sunday 21st June

Sunday 21st June 2026
1.00pm to 6.00pm

Thornton is holding its biennial Open Gardens event on Sunday 21st June from 1-6pm.  Contrasting gardens will be open for you to wander around and enjoy. There will also be refreshments – including cream teas –  and a plant stall.

Dogs on leads are welcome at many of the gardens.

Proceeds
All proceeds from this event are for the maintenance, restoration and improvement of our beautiful historic church.

Cost
£5.00, accompanied children free.

How to get tickets / programmes
Programmes will be available from Thornton Nurseries, The Bricklayers Arms, The Corner Shop. St. Peter’s Church, all participating gardens and the Community Centre.

Contact the organisers
Phone: 01530 231 502
Email: thornton.opengardens@outlook.com

Directions / Parking
Head for LE67 IAH
Some parking is available at the Community Centre.

Accessibility: It should be noted that Thornton is built on a ridge and so many of the gardens are on slopes or are terraced with steps and are therefore not ideal for those in wheelchairs or with impaired mobility. Some of the pavements are also narrow. Our printed programme attempts to indicate those more suitable.

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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.

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Clear Out Sale – Saturday 28th February, Thornton Community Centre LE67 1AH (11am to 2pm)

Our first event of the year, raising funds for Thornton Church,
St Peter’s.

Please come along to our Clear Out sale, and help us to raise money for essential repairs for our church whilst at the same time finding yourself new treasures and gifts.

There will be 21 tables over two rooms full of a huge variety of beautiful bargains.


Bacon and sausage baps, and tea and coffee will be available from the ‘café’.


Its also a lovely chance to meet up with friends.
What’s not to like!


Entrance 50p per adult.


Every penny of profit will go to the repair and maintenance of our beautiful church.
There are currently a couple of tables left.

Please contact me (Shirley Garlick) soonest if you would like to sell your own items – 07925 170803
A Friends of St Peter’s fundraising event

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Thornton Christmas Food & Craft Fayre

This year we are pleased to have added food stalls to our popular annual Christmas Fayre to be held on Saturday 22nd November at Thornton Community Centre (LE67 1AH).

We have two halls full of exciting stalls.

Spotlighting a few new stalls this year to include.

Wildlife artist from Thornton, Alexia Claire, selling her unique Christmas cards, gift wrap, wall art and her popular calendar plus a £1 bargain box.

Markfield based ‘Time for Beer’, selling a wide range of beers from its micro-brewery in Warwickshire; gift boxed, seasonal labels, plus ‘St Peter’s Thornton pale ale’ whilst stocks last.

Natural, local Leicestershire honey from Barrow House Bees.

Jo (visiting from Devon) will be selling her own unique handcrafted pieces, combining ceramics and driftwood. ‘Inspired by nature and made with love from the wild Devon countryside.’

Thornton Calendars on sale, with wonderful photographs of the village taken by villager, and photographer, Matthew Soulsby……

….and much, much more, so you can find that ideal Christmas gift!

Refreshments will be available all day, plus games for all, the annual quiz sheet and, of course, a chance to see Father Christmas in his grotto (£1.50 per child for visit and gift).

Admission to the Fayre is 50p with no charge for accompanied children aged 14 and under.

Come and enjoy the happy and friendly atmosphere.

Raising money for the repair and improvement of St Peter’s church.

Organised by FOSP (Friends of St Peter’s).

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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.

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The Beacon Players – Woodhouse Eaves

Present a comedy thriller – ‘A Tomb with a View’.

“A Tomb with a View” is a comedic thriller by Norman Robbins, set in a sinister library where a lawyer reads a will to a bizarre family, leading to a series of unexpected twists and turns.

Plot Summary

The play unfolds in the eerie library of the Tomb Mansion, where the family gathers for the reading of the will of the recently deceased patriarch, Septimus Tomb. The characters  include a variety of eccentric family members, such as a werewolf-obsessed brother, a toga wearing relative who believes he is Julius Caesar, and a gentle old lady with a penchant for  gardening. As the will is read, tensions rise, and soon, bodies start piling up, leading to a  chaotic and humorous investigation into the family’s dark secrets.

Themes and Style

“A Tomb with a View” is characterized by its blend of comedy and thriller elements, often described as a spoof thriller. The play features numerous plot twists, red herrings, and a  cast of characters that are both humorous and sinister. The setting in a gloomy mansion  adds to the atmosphere, creating a backdrop for the unfolding drama and comedy.

When and Where

7.30pm on Thurs, Fri & Sat, 27th, 28th, 29th November

Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall.

Cafe style seating – bring your own nibbles and drinks.

See poster for details on how to purchase your tickets.