December 2025 a call for new volunteers – see poster
September 2025 Thornton in Bloom was awarded Gold for their entry in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition this year, a brilliant result for this small group of volunteers.
January 27 2025 Thornton in Bloom has a new Facebook page
News 6 December 2024
As part of their continuing work to help keep Thornton a green and welcoming place, TIB volunteers planted 75 trees (a mix of Rowan, Hazel and Hawthorn) on the ‘Rec’ on Hill Top Rd. yesterday.
Consideration is also being given to an application for 420 hedge plants that are attractive to wildlife, to create a green corridor along the wall (in the photos). Apart from grass the Rec. has little natural vegetation and the community believes this would improve the natural environment and the area generally.
A couple of local dog-walkers also suggested a bench or two, as they feel the dog-walking often becomes a brief social activity. So if you live in the area, please let us know whether you feel this would be a good idea.
T.I.B will be looking for more volunteer help in the New Year to help their work in connection with the ‘Bradford 2025, City Of Culture’ and contact can be made with the group via Bev Hughes .
News 26 Februrary 2024:
Now the season is almost upon us for getting things going in our gardens and green spaces, the ‘Thornton In Bloom’ volunteers are restarting their work sessions on Monday afternoons (1.00/1.30ish onwards). We will maintain the areas that were entered for the RHS ‘In Bloom’ competitions and perhaps take on other small ‘green’ areas around the village.
Today, we made a start on digging and preparing a small area at the Thornton end of the Great Northern Rail Trail by the Primary School. This will be planted up with wildflower seeds and plants.
(If you’ve got a spare hour or two on Mondays and would like to help, we will try and make a decision by the Sunday as to where the work will be and put a note up here on facebook. No experience is necessary and tools can be provided, though gloves would be handy.)
Origins of Thornton in Bloom
Thornton in Bloom came about when a local councillor at the time, the late Councillor Valerie Binney, persuaded members of Thornton Community Council (which subsequently became Thornton Community Partnership) to create a Thornton in Bloom subgroup, to improve the environment of the village, and enter the annual Yorkshire in Bloom competition.
Funds were raised and grants applications made. To ensure that the sub-group had a better chance of obtaining grants it separated from Thornton Community Partnership with its own constitution, although many members are also members of Thornton Community Partnership, as we are all volunteers and do not have a membership fee.
The first area tackled was an overgrown piece of Council owned land next to what was Brontë Hair Fashions, (now The Bronte Nook) on Kipping Lane. Volunteers cleared the area, and created flower beds. A seat was donated by the family of the late Eddie North, who had worked hard to improve Thornton. The council provided a litter bin, and planters, and put up the plaque commemorating Eddie North. The land is now called Eddie’s Corner.
Next came the clearing of the Station Approach. Mrs. Binney and volunteers were on their knees digging up 6 inches of deep soil and weeds, to expose the original cobbled surface. The original finials from the station building, which had been for many years at what is now Thornton Primary School were moved to the lay-by. The 3 ward councillors at the time agreed to spend some Council money allocated to them, on providing seats, litter bins and flower beds. A donation was received from the family of the late James A. Allen for a display showing the history of the railway station. This area is now maintained by Thornton Antiquarian Society.
Over several years Thornton in Bloom also planted daffodils on Thornton Road and Springhead Road, plus some crocuses.
Then we entered the Yorkshire in Bloom competition. We applied for funds to buy troughs and planters and the plants to go in them. The funds also helped us to sell to residents hanging baskets at reduced prices for Spring and Summer and the cost of brackets and of putting them up and taking them down.
Mrs. Binney persuaded a former Chairman of the Co-Op (he was also a Bradford councillor at the time) to provide funds to improve the area they own to the side of the Co-op. Volunteers try to keep those flower beds and seating areas clean.
Thornton in Bloom also planted up areas of Kipping Gardens. We cleared up the junction of Henry Street and Westville Way, and cut back overgrowing bushes along the public footpath.
Flower beds were planted at the bottom of Greenmount Road, and on West Lane near its junction with James Street. These 3 beds were maintained by the Rotary Club of Bradford of which Valerie Binney was a member, but are now maintained by Thornton Community Centre volunteers.
In 2016 we decided not to enter the Yorkshire in Bloom competition. The competition helps to improve villages, but it’s clear that those villages which win have much greater resources, both money and volunteers, than Thornton has. Thornton in Bloom’s main aim is to improve the environment in Thornton, not just by flowers. The Thornton Community Partnership also ran a Litter Picking Group on the 1st Saturday of the month, for many years. Apart from the lack of finance this year we would have been bound by the strictures brought about by the judging dates. In the past we’ve also seen improvements restricted by the judging route, while we wished to improve the whole of Thornton.
At a meeting in September 2016 we decided not to replace the Chair of the group as we were few in number. In October 2017 we planted bulbs in the bare patches which exist in the currently planted area on Thornton Road. In more recent years Thornton Community Partnership, of which Thornton In Bloom were a part, dissolved as most of us were aged 70+. The Thornton Community Centre volunteers agreed to take over some of Thornton Community Partnerships’ former tasks. Together with volunteers from Sapgate Gardens Association and the Great Northern Trail, Thornton is taking part in this year’s “In Bloom” competition judged by the Royal Horticultural Society. As in times past some of the people involved in the original group are tending the troughs and planters, and organising hanging baskets. Also as previously there’s front gardens competitions.
Thanks to Doreen and Liz for organising the hanging baskets.
If you’re interested in joining the new volunteers please contact any of the names on the poster, or email bevhughes840@sky.com
The route taken by the Judges in 2022 was:
In 2023 the new Thornton in Bloom won Gold award in the Yorkshire in Bloom competition.
Thornton also won best in category for ‘Urban Community’ and were commended for our huge amount of community spirit. This is so true of the village and organisations, so it is fantastic it shone bright to the RHS judges too.
The judging route on the morning of 10 August 2023
November 23rd 2023: A massive Thankyou to our main sponsors The Leo Group. We won a silver gilt award at the UK wide Britain in Bloom.
Litter picking and Village Clean-up.
Thornton in Bloom, plus Commnity Centre volnteers and Sapgate Garden Association volunteers now run the monthly Litter Pick and Village Clean Up. Back in 2008 that meant putting a notice on the village notice board in Kipping Gardens. Now in 2023 it’s a well designed reminder on Facebook and this website.
Open Gardens
For the last couple of years Thornton residents have opened their gardens for viewing. In 2025 it will be on July 12 and 13. Click on the dark green heading to go to their Facebook page.
(Updated 26 December 2024)
All About Thornton 