Tag: travel

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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 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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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

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Flower, Plant & Herb Cryptic Quiz – answers

Thank you to everyone who took part in another of my cryptic quizzes.

The theme of this one was to coincide with Thornton Open Gardens in July and added to the fundraising efforts in aid of the maintenance of St Peter’s Church.

This quiz proved to be a ‘bit of a challenge’ with some regular quizzers saying it was harder than my usual cryptic quizzes.

There were just two ‘quizzers’ who got all 50 questions correct .. congratulations to them – neither of them were local, but were visiting from Ilfracombe and Nottingham respectively.

But, there can only be one winner – the two names were put in a hat and Jan Ward from Nottingham was the winner of the £10 prize.

The answers are: –

  • 1. First sign of a white Christmas (8) – SNOWDROP
  • 2. A wise man (4) – SAGE
  • 3. You may see this in the blink of an eye (4) – IRIS
  • 4. Is she shrinking? (6) – VIOLET
  • 5. Clinging female (3) – IVY
  • 6. What did ‘Ben rave’ about? (7) – VERBENA
  • 7..She likes ‘keeping up appearances’ – HYACINTH
  • 8. You might have this on your hands when you’ve finished gardening (5) – THYME
  • 9. You ‘split’ these bulbs to propagate (6) TULIPS
  • 10. Prudence (6) – THRIFT
  • 11. Jeer at this fruit (4, 6) – MOCK ORANGE
  • 12.Nearly top of this football league (7) – CAMPION
  • 13. What is our ‘main goal’ about? Answering this clue of course (8) MAGNOLIA
  • 14. Chris Hoy & Chris Frome often slightly muddled can be described as this (8) – CYCLAMEN
  • 15. Sizzling card game (3, 3, 5) RED HOT POKER
  • 16. Did this summon Thomas Beckett to his death? (10, 4) – CANTERBURY BELL
  • 17.Picture this legendary Welsh creature (10) – SNAPDRAGON
  • 18. A clean sweep with this plant (5) – BROOM
  • 19. Female singer/songwriter born in 1979 (4) – PINK
  • 20. ‘Stare’ hard to see this flower (5) ASTER
  • 21. The Universe (6) – COSMOS
  • 22. Is my ding-a-ling depressed? (8) – BLUEBELL
  • 23. Watering can attachment (4) – ROSE
  • 24. Did she get hitched on a tandem? (5) – DAISY
  • 25. Females cloak (5, 6) – LADYS MANTLE
  • 26. Rubber gloves? (9) – MARIGOLDS
  • 28. Symbol of remembrance (5) – POPPY
  • 29. Go faster, better (9) – SPEEDWELL
  • 30. Remember (6,2,3) – FORGET ME NOT
  • 31.’Vain to the core’ (8) – VERONICA
  • 32. All alone in the onion patch (7) – PETUNIA
  • 33. US state climber (7) – MONTANA
  • 34. Up early to ‘egg on’ this song bird (8) – LARKSPUR
  • 35. This ‘proper’ English lady is out late in the day (7, 8) – EVENING PRIMROSE
  • 36. At its best between dawn & noon (7, 5) – MORNING GLORY
  • 37. Has she been involved in a punch up? (5,4, 5) – BLACK EYED SUSAN
  • 38. National flower of Mexico (6) – DAHLIA
  • 39. Assume this position to meditate (5) – LOTUS
  • 40. Colloquial – great, fantastic, brilliant (4) – MINT
  • 41. Head gear of a man of the cloth (9) – MONKSHOOD
  • 42. Canine coppice (7) – DOGWOOD
  • 43. Sweet food nurtured by bees (11) – HONEYSUCKLE
  • 44. There are definitely strings attached to this plant (5) – VIOLA
  • 45. Whether they are green or blue, when I am Queen, you will be my King (8) LAVENDER
  • 46. Shy and introverted especially at parties (10) – WALLFLOWER
  • 47. ‘All is ready for Mary’ (9) – AMARYLLIS
  • 48. Our late Queen always had much to do (4, 6) – BUSY LIZZIE
  • 49. Beside the lake beneath the trees fluttering and dancing in the breeze (9)   DAFFODILS
  • 50. 24 hours and she’s gone! (7) – DAYLILY

This quiz is copyright of Gill Tapping, Thornton village – and may not be reproduced for any purpose without the author’s permission.

If you are a fundraiser for your local charity I have some similar cryptic quizzes to this one, on various topics and am happy for their use in fundraising in exchange for a small donation of £10 which will be given to the Friends of St Peter’s towards the maintenance of the church and grounds.

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Heritage Open Days – Leicestershire ~ St Peter’s Church, Thornton

England’s largest festival of history and culture!

Heritage Open Days 6th-15th September 2024

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.

As part of Heritage Open Days, St Peter’s Church, Thornton, will be open over the weekend of 14th and 15th September for all to visit.

It’s your chance to explore this lovely Grade 1, historical church for yourselves, and discover its wealth of history.

An Exhibition in the church will provide a fascinating insight into Thornton’s history.

The church will be open between 10 am and 6 pm on Saturday 14th and from 1 pm till 5 pm on Sunday afternoon.

Entry is free. Donations always welcome. Refreshments will be available to purchase.

Any contributions towards the exhibition are welcome. Do you have stories to tell or old photographs of Thornton that we could borrow to display?

Please contact churchwarden.thornton@gmail.com

For details of other Heritage Open Days venues go to http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk