DIARY OF ALL EVENTS IN THORNTON

All links to further details, or other websites are in green, and normally underlined.

All exhibitions including those at the Fountain Street Arts Project, and those at South Square have their own page, press or click here. There is also a link from that page to this.

Regular events on each day of the week have their own page, press / click here. There is also a list of regular events by type of event, – press /click on the green link. There is also a list of Clubs and Groups

Those events which are not regular are described as “one-off”, and are listed under their date, below. Included in the one-off events are where, for example, there are different speakers each week at a regular event.

Informative details are on a grey background.

FEBRUARY 1 SUNDAY

3.30pm for 3.45 screening. Downton Abbey, the Grand Finale. Sunday cinema at Thornton Community Centre. Admission £3.

FEBRUARY 2 MONDAY

The White Horse Inn closed today and tomorrow, and some other dates, for getting things done and staff holidays. See poster

1pm to 3pm Thornton in Bloom work-party. See poster

FEBRUARY 3 TUESDAY

The White Horse Inn closed today, and some other dates, for getting things done and staff holidays. See poster

9.30 start till 11.30-ish but anytime between is ok. Great Northern Railway Trail Tidy Up team volunteers 2026, (on the Thornton to Queensbury section) Next session Tuesday 3rd February 10am on the trail by Thornton primary school towards/in the woods. New volunteers always welcome. Please message if you’d like to get involved. First Tuesday and Third Tuesday of each month. 9.30 start till 11.30-ish but anytime between is ok. On this day meet at the back of Thornton Primary School.

FEBRUARY 4 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm.”Mapping Bradford through the ages” a talk by an Roberts to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

FEBRUARY 5 THURSDAY

6.30pm to 7.30pm Junior Winter Nets arranged by Thornton Cricket Club at the Adil Rashid Cricket centre, Thornton

7.30pm to 8.30pm Winter nets arranged by Thornton Cricket Club at the Adil Rashid Cricket centre, Thornton

FEBRUARY 7 SATURDAY

10am to 12noon Litter-Pick day, the 1st Saturday of the month, so let’s make Thornton that little bit tidier. As always the litter-pick is organised by Sapgate Gardens volunteers and run from the Community Centre (look out for the banner). Litter-pickers and bags are available as are warm drinks and biscuits. (If you can’t make it and have seen a particularly ‘grotty’ area, put a note up here and we’ll direct people to it). Thanks. As always, Kate’s ‘Pop-up Shop’ will be there, selling jams, marmalades, chutneys and honey, cards and dishcloths.

10.30am to 12noon Create Kidz, in St. James Church Hall.

11am Family Cookery Class at Thornton Community Centre “This month’s cookery class is likelly to be on February 7, 2026 at 11am. So come join us for some family fun with the kids. The class is only £2 per family and the food is prepped and then taken home to enjoy at home with your family. Please message the page with a name, contact number and how many people will be in attendance.”

1pm to 2pm Annual General Meeting of Sapgate Gardens Association at Thornton Community Centre, Market Street

FEBRUARY 8 SUNDAY

7.30pm at the Rock and Heifer, Heifer Darts Tournament £10, cash prize. Pm the page to sign up

FEBRUARY 9 MONDAY

The White Horse Inn closed today and tomorrow, and some other dates, for getting things done and staff holidays. See poster

FEBRUARY 10 TUESDAY

The White Horse Inn closed today, and some other dates, for getting things done and staff holidays. See poster

Opening of the Rock and Heifer’s new Pub Kitchen

6.30pm to 8pm at the Brontë Birthplace: Monthly Talk: Dr Eleanor Houghton ‘Material Witnesses – Charlotte Brontë’s Life Through Clothes’ via Zoom from 6.30pm (£6)

FEBRUARY 11 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “How Orchidmania gripped the Victorians” a talk by Tish Lawson to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

7pm to 8.15pm Valentine’s Regency Letter Writing Evening at the Brontë Birthplace

FEBRUARY 12 THURSDAY

6pm to 8pm at South Square, Still Life Drawing Workshop: Cezanne inspired still life drawing workshop delivered by Zoe Maxwell. £16,96

FEBRUARY 13 FRIDAY

8.30pm at the Ring o’ Bells, Miss Syren –“Not for the easily offended!!! An evening of entertainment from Miss Syren. A night not to be missed”.

FEBRUARY 14 SATURDAY

11am to 3pm at South Square, Community Room. Picture Frame Sale
Large selection of picture frames on sale from John Allcock’s collection. Also on Sunday. They write: “Unit 9 Artist, John Allcock will be having a picture frame sale. There will be a large selection of picture frames on sale, in good condition and suitable for prints, watercolours and canvases. In a move to a new house John is reviewing 30 years of artwork, so come along and browse the collection!”

5pm for some, Programme starts at 6pm Love and Laughter at the New Tyke– see 2 illustrations below. The 1st illustration ©copyright of Facebook

FEBRUARY 15 SUNDAY

11am to 3pm at South Square, Community Room. Picture Frame Sale
Large selection of picture frames on sale from John Allcock’s collection. They write: “Unit 9 Artist, John Allcock will be having a picture frame sale. There will be a large selection of picture frames on sale, in good condition and suitable for prints, watercolours and canvases. In a move to a new house John is reviewing 30 years of artwork, so come along and browse the collection!”

FEBRUARY 16 MONDAY

The White Horse Inn closed today and tomorrow, and some earlier dates, for getting things done and staff holidays. See poster

FEBRUARY 17 TUESDAY

The White Horse Inn closed today, and some earlier dates, for getting things done and staff holidays. See poster

9.30 start till 11.30-ish but anytime between is ok. Great Northern Railway Trail Tidy Up team volunteers 2026, (on the Thornton to Queensbury section) new volunteers always welcome. Please message if you’d like to get involved. First Tuesday and Third Tuesday of each month. 9.30 start till 11.30-ish but anytime between is ok.

FEBRUARY 18 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, for 2pm Annual General Meeting of Thornton Antiquarian Society.

FEBRUARY 19 THURSDAY

10.30am to 1pm Children’s Craft Club: “Join us for a free craft morning, a time to build, make and create!” Also on 21 February

12noon to 3pm, last entrance 2.30pm Half Term Activity: Scrub-a-Dub Victorian Fun! At the Brontë Birthplace. They write: Roll up your sleeves and step back in time this February half term! Join Nancy in the Victorian scullery and give her a helping hand with her enormous pile of laundry. There’s washing to be scrubbed, clothes to be wrung, and plenty of jobs for little (and big!) helpers to try. Our scullery will be transformed into a bustling Victorian wash day, where children and grown-ups can get hands-on with real artefacts and discover what laundry day was like over 100 years ago. Come along, get stuck in, and have lots of soapy, splashy fun while learning about life in a Victorian home! Entry: Free entry for Children under 12, £4 for under 16s, all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian holding a standard £6 entry ticket. Please feel free to explore the rest of the house afterwards and enjoy some refreshments in the tearoom. No pre-booking required.

FEBRUARY 21 SATURDAY

10am to 12 noon Booksale and bacon butties at St. James Church hall

10.30am to 1pm Children’s Craft Club: “Join us for a free craft morning, a time to build, make and create!” Also on 19 February

1pm to 3pm, Saturday working party for Thornton in Bloom,

2pm to 4pm Meet Thornton Community Event at St. James Church – see poster.

FEBRUARY 24 TUESDAY

6.30pm to 8pm Special Talk – Wuthering Heights & the Brontës’ Revolutionary Fiction at the Brontë Birthplace Tickets £10

FEBRUARY 25 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Sir Ken Morrison” a talk by Janet Senior to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MARCH 3 TUESDAY

MARCH 4 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “History of Wedding Cakes” a talk by Wendy Bentley to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MARCH 6 FRIDAY

6.30pm to 9.30pm The Art of Eating: Paintings by Murniah Skinner, art talk and a 4-course dinner
Join artist Murniah Skinner and Plenty at the Square in this Food and Art event where paintings inspire a set menu. £55, must be booked.

8.30pm onwards Live music from The Good Citizens at the Ring o’ Bells

MARCH 8 SUNDAY

11am to 3pm Headley Venue Wedding Fayre. They write: “Join us at the Headley Venue Wedding Fayre on 8th March 2026 | 11am–3pm to meet brilliant local suppliers, explore the venue and get inspired. Prosecco & goody bag for the first 25 arrivals! To book, comment DM/email us at info@headleyvenue.co.uk

MARCH 9 MONDAY

10am to 12noon Tracing Thornton’s Past: An Industrial Revolution Detective Walk: Educational event, Age group: 7–11 years; Duration: 2 hours; Cost: £10 per child; Booking: Email charlotte.jones@brontebirthplace.com to secure a place.

MARCH 10 TUESDAY

6pm for 6.30pm to 8pm, Tracing Thornton’s Past: An Industrial Revolution Detective Walkm Monthly Talk: Sharon Wright “Brontë Mother’s Day – The Woman Who Put ‘Birth’ into ‘Birthplace”. At the Brontë Birthplace (£10)

MARCH 11 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Mineral Lines of Low Moor” a talk by Mary Twentyman to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MARCH 13 FRIDAY

7pm Comedy Hypnotist at the Rock and Heifer. £10. They write: “pm or call in to book. £10 a ticket.”

MARCH 14 SATURDAY

10.30am to 3pm Embroidery Workshop: Learn embroidery techniques in this workshop led by Rosie McAndrews. In the Community Room at South Square. Must be booked £16.96(?)

MARCH 17 TUESDAY

MARCH 18 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Famous murders of the 20th Century in 4 films” a talk by Eric Jackson to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MARCH 20 FRIDAY

7pm at the Headley Venue Black Tie / Formal dress Charity Ball raising funds to screen 14-35 year olds for undiagnosed cardiac conditions. The organisers write: “In loving memory of Anja. An evening of elegance, music and purpose – all in support of life-saving cardiac screenings for young people. Please message Anja Wilson Memorial – Supporting CRY directly for bookings & enquiries”

MARCH 21 SATURDAY

12noon to 4pm How to speak Hip’s Vinyl Fair and Open Decks at South Square – see poster, note also an evening event.

6pm to 10pm. How to Speak Hip’s Soirée with DJ’s at South Square see poster above

7pm Oddments Theatre Company present “Amazing Grace”, the story behind the song, at St James Church. Book here https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/NDYwLTcy/t

MARCH 25 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Richard 111’s nephews. Life after death?” a talk by Graham Mitchell to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MARCH 29 SUNDAY

Last day of Artist in Residence: Garett Wilde at the Brontë Birthplace,

MARCH 31 TUESDAY (Charlotte Brontë died in Haworth on March 31 1855, aged 38)

APRIL 1 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Let’s go to the Local, part 2” a talk John Lyle by to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

APRIL 3 GOOD FRIDAY

APRIL 5 EASTER SUNDAY

APRIL 6 EASTER MONDAY

APRIL 7 TUESDAY

APRIL 8 WEDNESDAY

There is no meeting of Thornton Antiquarian Society as it’s a Bank Holiday week.

APRIL 14 TUESDAY

6.30pm to 8pm Monthly Talk at the Brontë Birthplace: Helen MacEwan “The Brontës in Brussels”, by Zoom (£6)

APRIL 15 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “The Life and Work of Stanley Boardman, the painter” a talk by Tim Neal to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

APRIL 16 THURSDAY (Charlotte Brontë was born on April 16 1816, in Thornton)

APRIL 21 TUESDAY

APRIL 22 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “The Last Witch in Bradford” a talk by Cat Styles to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

APRIL 29 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Knights Templars” a talk by Michael Astrop to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MAY 4 MONDAY (Early May Bank Holiday)

MAY 5 TUESDAY

MAY 6 WEDNESDAY

There is no meeting of Thornton Antiquarian Society as it’s a Bank Holiday week.

MAY 11 MONDAY

The 41st anniversary of the fire at the Bradford City v. Lincoln match in 1985, when 56 spectators were killed and at least 265 were injured. Those killed included Craig Stockman, aged 14, and his sister Ashley, aged 16, two scholars of Thornton Grammar School.

MAY 12 TUESDAY

6pm for 6.30pm to 8pm Monthly Talk: Irene Lofthouse “Join nursemaid to the Brontës, Nancy Garrs, on a virtual walk to see Keighley through Brontë eyes” at the Brontë Birthplace. (£10)

MAY 13 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Sir Edward Appleton”, a talk by Dianne Excell to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MAY 19 TUESDAY

MAY 20 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Remember the 60s, part 2” a talk by Stuart Hartley to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

MAY 25 MONDAY (Spring Bank Holiday)

MAY 27 WEDNESDAY

There is no meeting of Thornton Antiquarian Society as it’s a Bank Holiday week.

MAY 29 FRIDAY (Anne Brontë died on May 29 1849, in Scarborough, aged 29)

JUNE 3 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “How Yorkshire Began” a talk by David Banks to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

JUNE 5 FRIDAY

8.30pm at the Ring o’ Bells. The Memphis Cruisers

JUNE 6 SATURDAY

Thornton Art Trail and on 7 June, details to follow

JUNE 7 SUNDAY

Thornton Art Trail, details to follow

JUNE 10 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm. “Brontë Links with Halifax” atalk by David Glover to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

JUNE17 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm.”History of the Women’s Institute” a talk by Karen Plotr to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

JUNE 23 TUESDAY

6.30pm to 8pm. Monthly Talk: Emma Conally-Barklem ‘The High Flight: 50 Poems Inspired by Emily Brontë’s Hawk’ At the Brontë Birthplace. They write: Join us for a fascinating journey through space and time as Emma discusses the process of creating an imagined world from one of the few details known about Emily Brontë. It is believed she rescued then kept a Merlin Hawk who she called Nero. Her bird of prey soars through history and the West Yorkshire landscape both quarry and predator. Conally-Barklem explores what it means to be captive and to be wild, the condition of the falconer, its lore and mystery through the enigmatic Brontë sister who stands both inside and outside of time. ‘By turns mythic, soaring, earthbound and unyielding, this collection is a dazzling addition to the Brontë canon.’

JUNE 24 WEDNESDAY

1:30pm for tea and biscuits, with speaker from 2:00pm.”Turnpike Roads in Bradford” a talk by Janet Senior to Thornton Antiquarian Society. £3 admission which includes tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome, you don’t have to be a member.

JUNE 26 FRIDAY (Branwell Brontë was born on June 26 1817, in Thornton)

JULY 30 THURSDAY (Emily Brontë was born in Thornton on July 30, 1818)

JULY 4 SATURDAY

Thornton Open Gardens, also on Sunday, details to follow.

JULY 5 SUNDAY

Thornton Open Gardens, also on Saturday, details to follow.