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

Markfield and Thornton theatre group (MTTG)

Markfield and Thornton Theatre Group (MTTG) is based at Thornton Community Centre .

We welcome new members. We meet every Wednesday 7:30 – 10 pm at Thornton Community centre.

Our next production is “The Vicar of Dibley “on 10th to 13th June 2026.

Contact: MTTG. Theatre@gmail.com.

The theatre group are currently taking part in the all  England 1 Act Play Festival.

They finished 3rd in the quarter finals this week and qualified for the Central Area semi final in May.


Paul Hurst and Wayne Roberts were nominated for best male performance and Wayne won.


Charlotte Parish and Katie Wells were nominated for best female performance.


The group received the adjudicator’s award for the best choreography sequence.

Why not pop along on a Wednesday evening and meet the ‘players’.