All About Thornton

Groups and Events by type

Where a day of the week is given with a time, those events are regular, weekly or less often.

Art

  • Wednesdays
    • 10am to 12noon Thornton & Denholme Practice Champions at Thornton Community Centre   We sit and chat over a cuppa and cakes. Some of our members may paint, sew, knit, or craft. Whatever you wish to turn your hand to there is always one of us who can give advice, if needed, but it’s fine if you just want a cuppa and a chat. We also work together on group projects chosen from a range of crafts. You may wish to join in with these, or just observe if you prefer. Most of the materials are provided and the finished items may find their way onto our gift table at one of our Charity Coffee mornings or take pride of place in your home. Contact Thornton Medical Centre on 01274 832110 for more information. (updated 19 August 2022)
    • 3.30pm to 4.30pm Kids Art Club at Thornton Community Centre. ages 3 to 6, and 7 to 12. Contact Cathy on 07594 620508

Art Galleries (free to view)

  • The Apothecary Gallery, 57 Market Street
  • South Square Galleries

Babies, see Mums and babies

Bereavement

  • 1st. Thursday of every month
    • 2pm to 4pm Thornton Bereavement Group at Thornton Community Centre

Board Games

Book Club

  • Thursdays (2nd in each month)
    • 1pm to 2pm at Thornton Community Library

Book Sale (and Bacon butties)

  • Saturdays
    • 10am to 12 noon Book sale and bacon butties in St. James Church Hall Normally on the 3rd Saturday of the month (Updated 13 August 2022)

Bootcamps for women

See Womemnontherun bootcamps Facebook page

Bowls

  • Thornton Veterans* Bowls Club  Play in the Bradford Crown Green Bowling League, from April to September.   They play in Division 3 (Peter Gilroy – the name of the Division), of the Bradford Half Holiday League, on Wednesdays, normally at 1.30pm; in the Monday evening division, at either 6.30pm or 7pm; and in Division 4 of Bradford Veterans League. All their home matches are being put in the Diary of Events.  Their Home games are played at Thornton Crown Green up Wensley Bank.   *There is no age or ability restrictions. New players welcome. For further details contact sec.thornton22@gmail.com ‘phone: 01274 835192 (answering machine) Facebook (Updated 6 September 2025)

Brownies, Rainbows, Guides and Rangers

  • For information on all Girl Guiding Groups in the area see the national Girlguiding Association website.  The Girlguiding Association also has a website covering North-East England, including Yorkshire here.  We know of one Brownie pack in Thornton,

Cat Rescue, fund raising

Chess Club for 6-16 year olds

  • Parents welcome to stay and join in. See poster

Children under 5

  • Wednesdays
    • 9.15 – 11.15
      • ABC – a toddler group at St James Church Thornton on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.15-11.15 am from Monday 10th January, 2022. You can come any morning the cost is £3 a morning (updated 2 January 2022)
    • 11am to 12 noon
      • Rhyme-time at Thornton Library: Rhyme Time for preschool aged children and their parents/grandparents/carers on Wednesday mornings at 11am. We will be having singing, stories, rhymes and crafts. It’s free please tell anyone who might he interested. (Updated 26 April 2022)
  • Thursdays
    • 10am to 12noon.
      • Mums and Babies group at South Square organised by Gemma Marsden (updated 31 August 2024)

Choirs

  • Tuesdays
    • 6.45pm for 7pm Thornton Community Choir (term time only). At Thornton Methodist Church, Chapel Lane. The class will commence at 7pm.  £5 per week. Everyone is welcome, no previous singing experience necessary. Come and join our friendly group. Contact: Janet Spencer. (Updated 1 September 2024, but no confirmation of cost)
  • Wednesdays

Church and Chapel Services

  • Sundays
    • 10am Sundays at 10 at St. James Church. (updated 18 August 2022)
    • 10.30am Morning Worship at Thornton Methodist Church (Updated 17 August 2022)
    • 11am Morning worship at Kipping Chapel (updated 1 October 2025)
    • 4pm on the 4th Sunday of every month, 4 for all, at St.James Church (updated on 25 November 2025)
  • Wednesdays
    • 9.30am Holy Communion at St. James on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. (Updated 12 May 2022)

Crafts

  • Wednesdays
    • 10am to 12noon Thornton & Denholme Practice Champions at Thornton Community Centre   We sit and chat over a cuppa and cakes. Some of our members may paint, sew, knit, or craft. Whatever you wish to turn your hand to there is always one of us who can give advice, if needed, but it’s fine if you just want a cuppa and a chat. We also work together on group projects chosen from a range of crafts. You may wish to join in with these, or just observe if you prefer. Most of the materials are provided and the finished items may find their way onto our gift table at one of our Charity Coffee mornings or take pride of place in your home. Contact Thornton Medical Centre on 01274 832110 for more information. (updated 19 August 2022)
    • 2pm to 4pm   Craft Club.  Bring your own craft or start a new one.  At Thornton Methodist Church.  (updated 22 May 2022)

Cricket

  • Thornton Cricket Club   The Cricket Field is on Hill Top Road.  There are 3 adult teams which all play in the Halifax Cricket League, and some Junior Teams. The First XI  play in the Premier Division 1st XI, on Saturdays, and finished 1st in 2023, also winning the T20 competition and the Parish Cup. The 2nd XI play in the First Division 2nd XI, and the third team play on Sundays, in Division 4 of the Sunday games. All home fixtures will be in the Diary of all events in Thornton section of this website.  Thornton CC also have a Twitter account. (Updated 1 September 2024)

Cricket (Junior)

  • Thornton Cricket Club has cricket teams for Under 9s, Under 11s, Under 13s, Under 16s and Under 18s. It also runs an All Stars introduction to cricket for 5 to 9 year olds, promoted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Crochet

  • Mondays
    • Thornton Crochet Club – see poster

(Updated 27 June 2023)

Dads and Babies, see Mums and Babies

Dance for fitness

  • Fridays
    • 10am Dance Factory, Dance Fitness Classes for the over 40s, at Thornton Community Centre. Contact Kathryn on 07415 048805 (Updated 31 August 2024)

Environmental improvement

  • Thornton Goes Wild (School Wood), originally a Thornton Community Partnership project, to improve the wood either side of the Great Northern Trail from the west of Thornton  School Playing Fields.  Thornton Community Partnership has disbanded, but one former member continues to feed the birds and put up bird boxes.  Thornton Community Centre volunteers have now taken over this work. (updated 8 January 2023)
  • Great Northern Railway Trail. The group have sessions from 10am, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, depending on thr weater, cleaning up the trail in and around Thornton. for one or two hours, new volunteers welcome. Please contact them via their Facebook page or DM to find where the start point is.
  • Thornton in Bloom, current work party on every Mondays from 1pm to 2pm, and the 3rd Saturday of every month from 1pm to 3pm.. (Updated 9 December 2025)

Fellowship (see also Wellbeing)

Fencing (Sport)

Food Bank

  • Saturdays
    • 10am to 12 noon Food Pantry at St James Church (every Saturday) (update 31 August 2024)

Football

Gardening

  • Sapgate Gardens Association
  • Thornton in Bloom, current work party on every Mondays from 1pm to 2pm, and the 3rd Saturday of every month from 1pm to 3pm.. (Updated 9 December 2025)
  • Top Royd Allotments Association , 23 Royd Street, Thornton, BRADFORD, BD13 3PR Association for allotment holders at Top Royd Street Allotments.

Golf

Health and Wellbeing

  • Wednesdays
    • 10.30am to 11.30am Happy Healthy Community Group    We are a group of local volunteers aiming to increase community spirit, promote friendship and confidence. Come and join us for a chat, a free brew and biscuits and a variety of activities at Thornton Community Centre every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30 or contact us at ThorntonHHC@outlook.com

History

Knitting

  • Wednesdays
    • 9.30am to 11.30am Knit and Natter at South Square. Bring your own knitting or crochet projects and enjoy friendly chit chat over a hot or cold drink. Downstairs gallery.
    • 10am to 12noon Thornton & Denholme Practice Champions at Thornton Community Centre   We sit and chat over a cuppa and cakes. Some of our members may paint, sew, knit, or craft. Whatever you wish to turn your hand to there is always one of us who can give advice, if needed, but it’s fine if you just want a cuppa and a chat. We also work together on group projects chosen from a range of crafts. You may wish to join in with these, or just observe if you prefer. Most of the materials are provided and the finished items may find their way onto our gift table at one of our Charity Coffee mornings or take pride of place in your home. Contact Thornton Medical Centre on 01274 832110 for more information. (updated 19 August 2022)

Library open

  • Tuesdays
    • 10am to 12noon Thornton Community Library open (updated 6 July 2024)
  • Wednesdays
    • 10am to 1pm   Thornton CommunityLibrary open (Updated 12 May 2022)
      • 11am to 12 noon Rhyme-time at Thornton Library: Rhyme Time for preschool aged children and their parents/grandparents/carers on Wednesday mornings at 11am. We will be having singing, stories, rhymes and crafts. It’s free please tell anyone who might he interested. (Updated 26 April 2022)
    • 5pm to 7pm  Thornton Community Library open (Updated 17 August 2022)
  • Fridays
  • Saturdays
    • 10am to 1pm  Thornton Community Library Open (Updated 10 May 2022)

Litter Picking Group

  • Now organised by Sapgate Gardens Association in co-operation with Thornton Community Centre. 1st Saturday of the month from the Community Centre. See each month’s Diary of events for further details.

Live Music – For details of all Live Music, see the Diary of All Events in Thornton

Local History

Menopause Café

  • Thursdays 1st Thursday of each month
    • 6.30pm Cool Moments Menopause Café at Thornton Community Centre. “Free, friendly & full of laughs.”

Mums, Dads, and / or Carers with Babies

  • Mondays
    • 9am to 11am. St. James ABC Parent and Toddlers, age range 0 – 5,  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in term time, 9am to 11am.  St James Church Hall. “We run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am to 11am, filled with fun activities for babies and toddlers. It’s a great opportunity for socialisation for you and your little one. Coffee and snacks are included, all for just £3.50. Make new friends and enjoy a delightful morning with us!”
  • Tuesdays (Monthly)
    • 10am to 11 am (Monthly) Brontë Babies at South Square. There’s now 2 sessions: 10am to 11am for babies from birth to walking; session for walkers to age 4 at 11.15am to 12.15pm. “Join us for our Brontë Babies sessions for little ones. We introduce them to the sensory world of the Brontës, using our bespoke ‘High Waving Heather’ collection. There are things to touch, see, hear and smell. These relaxed sessions feature sensory play, song, and stories and a chance to meet other parents and carers. Each session draws inspiration from the Brontë Parsonage Museum’s collection and the lives of the Brontës.” Free but must be booked – press / click on underlined green headings, above, dependent on baby/ies age(s)
    • 11.15am to 12.15pm walkers to age 4. Brontë Babies at South Square. See younger session, above, for detail
  • Wednesdays
    • 9am to 11am. St. James ABC Parent and Toddlers, age range 0 – 5,  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in term time, see Monday for details.
    • 11am to 12 noon Rhymetime/storytime for babies and pre-school children, free – just drop in, at Thornton Community Library.
  • Fridays
    • 9am to 11am. St. James ABC Parent and Toddlers, age range 0 – 5,  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in term time, see Mondays for details

Pilates

Pre-School Children

  • Wednesdays
    • 11am to 12 noon Rhyme-time at Thornton Library: Rhyme Time for preschool aged children and their parents/grandparents/carers on Wednesday mornings at 11am. We will be having singing, stories, rhymes and crafts. It’s free, please tell anyone who might he interested. (Updated 26 April 2022)

Quiz nights

  • Wednesdays
    • 8pm Every Wednesday at the Ring o Bells (updated 17 May, 2025)
  • Thursdays
    • From 7pm on the 2nd Thursday of the month at The Watchmaker £2 per person (Updated 23 April 2023)
    • 7.30pm for 8pm start at the Headley Venue, teams of 4, £3 entry. Supper. Book in or turn up. 01274 831215, info@headleyvenue.co.uk
  • Fridays

Remembrance Day Event volunteers

Rhyme-time at Thornton Community Library

  • Wednesdays
    • 11am to 12 noon Rhymetime at Thornton Library: Rhyme Time for preschool aged children and their parents/grandparents/carers on Wednesday mornings at 11am. We will be having singing, stories, rhymes and crafts. It’s free please tell anyone who might he interested. (Updated 26 April 2022)

Royal British Legion, Thornton Branch 

  • Has 2 main aims: to raise money for the work of the Royal British Legion both nationally and locally, and to give social support to ex-servicemen.  The Thornton branch no longer meet but continue to keep their Facebook page up to date (Updated 6 July 2024)

Sapgate Gardens

Scooter Group

  • Thursdays
    • 7.30pm     Tyke Scooter Club meet at the Black Horse Inn (Updated 20 June 2023)

Scouts (including Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and explorers)

Singing

  • Tuesdays
    • 6.450pm to 9pm Thornton Community Choir (term time only). At Thornton Methodist Church, Chapel Lane. The class will commence at 7pm.  £5 per week. Everyone is welcome, no previous singing experience necessary. Come and join our friendly group. Contact: Janet Spencer. (Updated 1 September 2024, but no confirmation of cost)
  • Wednesdays

Slimming

South Square Centre

Taekwon-do

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays
    • 5.30pm Ninja Foxes, (Ages 4-6years)
    • 6pm Beginner Juniors (7 – 12 years)
    • 7pm Advanced grades and adults

Thornton Community Library open

  • Wednesdays
    • 10am to 1pm   Thornton Library open (Updated 12 May 2022)
      • 11am to 12 noon Rhymetime at Thornton Library: Rhyme Time for preschool aged children and their parents/grandparents/carers on Wednesday mornings at 11am. We will be having singing, stories, rhymes and crafts. It’s free please tell anyone who might he interested. (Updated 26 April 2022)
    • 5pm to 7pm  Thornton Library open (Updated 17 August 2022)
  • Fridays
  • Saturdays
    • 10am to 1pm  Thornton Community Library Open (Updated 10 May 2022)

Ukelele Strumming Group

  • Tuesdays
    • 1pm to 3pm at the Ring o’Bells All Welcome

Walking for all

  • Tuesdays
    • 1pm to 3pm, Thornton Viaduct Walk, which is now organised by Hale (The Health Action Local Engagement project.) Weekly, Meet at Thornton Primary School, as a gentle exercise, and explore the Great Northern Railway Trail. Led by James Howgego 07946 155347 (for further information), (Updated 11 July 2025)

Walking – Women only

Weight Reduction Groups

Wellbeing

  • Tuesdays
    • 10.30am to 11.30am Happy Heathy Community Group at Thornton Community Centre. We are a group of local volunteers aiming to increase community spirit, promote friendship and confidence. Come and join us for a chat, a free brew and biscuits and a variety of activities at Thornton Community Centre every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30 or contact us at ThorntonHHC@outlook.com (Updated 2 October 2022)
  • Wednesdays
    • 10am to 12noon Thornton & Denholme Practice Champions at Thornton Community Centre   We sit and chat over a cuppa and cakes. Some of our members may paint, sew, knit, or craft. Whatever you wish to turn your hand to there is always one of us who can give advice, if needed, but it’s fine if you just want a cuppa and a chat. We also work together on group projects chosen from a range of crafts. You may wish to join in with these, or just observe if you prefer. Most of the materials are provided and the finished items may find their way onto our gift table at one of our Charity Coffee mornings or take pride of place in your home. Contact Thornton Medical Centre on 01274 832110 for more information. (updated 19 August 2022)
  • Fridays
    • 1.30pm The Wellbeing Café (THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH)  At Thornton Community Centre. Providing support to older people, to help build friendships and combat feelings of isolation. Join us for a few hours of fun, friendship, and the chance to socialize. Enjoy entertainment, cakes and refreshments.

Yoga

  • Mondays
    • 5.15pm Yoga Classes by Nicola Stephenson, at South Square. Must be pre-booked. Click on green link for further details. Alternative class times at 6,30pm, and same times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also Zoom sessions on Wednesday at 9.30am and Thursday at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
    • 6.30pm Yoga Classes by Nicola Stephenson, at South Square. Must be pre-booked. Click on green link for further details. Alternative class times at 5.15pm, and same times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also Zoom sessions on Wednesday at 9.30am and Thursday at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
  • Tuesdays
    • 5.15pm Yoga Classes by Nicola Stephenson, at South Square. Must be pre-booked. Click on green link for further details. Alternative class times at 6.30pm, and same times on Mondays and Wednesdays. Also Zoom sessions on Wednesday at 9.30am and Thursday at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
    • 6.30pm Yoga Classes by Nicola Stephenson, at South Square. Must be pre-booked. Click on green link for further details. Alternative class times at 5.15pm, and same times on Mondays and Wednesdays. Also Zoom sessions on Wednesday at 9.30am and Thursday at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
  • Wednesdays
    • 9.30am Yoga via Zoom, by Nicola Stephenson Click on green link for further Nicola’s Facebook page. Alternative Zoom session on Thursdays at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
    • 5.15pm Yoga Classes by Nicola Stephenson, at South Square. Must be pre-booked. Click on green link for further details. Alternative class times at 6,30pm, and same times on Mondays and Tuesdays. Also Zoom sessions on Wednesday at 9.30am and Thursday at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
    • 6.30pm Yoga Classes by Nicola Stephenson, at South Square. Must be pre-booked. Click on green link for further details. Alternative class times at 6.30pm, and same times on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also Zoom sessions on Wednesday at 9.30am and Thursday at 6.30pm (Updated 13 August 2022)
    • 7.15pm to 8.15pm Yoga at Thornton Recreation Centre (updated 19 August 2022)
  • Thursdays

Youth

  • Mondays
    • 7pm Sound Youth Club, 11-19 yrs, At Thornton Community Centre. Contact Kim on 07816 082685 (updated 9 October 2023)
  • Thursdays
    • 3.30pm to 5.30pm Thornton After School Club for ages 11 to 19, meets at St. James Church Hall – see poster for details. (Updated 4 March 2024)

DISCLAIMER  The inclusion of any event should not be taken as an endorsement of that event.  I have made every effort to try to make sure the details are correct.  I cannot be held responsible for any errors.  Please report any errors or omissions to  aaboutthornton@thorntonbd13 (Updated 9 October 2025)