Groups
One Community
The village of Thurlaston has multiple groups that help bring our community together with a range of different activities which you can find out more about, below:
Beer Tree (pub night)
The original idea of a regular Pub Night came from Myra Platt when she was a member of the Village Hall Committee in 2005. It was thought it would be a non profit making social evening, and a regular get- together for villagers.
The original Beer Tree (Under the Beer Tree) is the oak tree at the junction of Stocks Lane and Main Street, where locals from a by-gone era gathered outside The Plough pub - now known as Stocks House. The inn was closed by order of the Duke of Buccleuch in 1900, whose property it was and who owned most of the village. The reason was excessive drinking and drunkenness.
The sign that is displayed at the corner of The Gardens and Main Street was created by our local artist Vivian Sharp. Have you observed one side of the painting depicts the autumn and the reverse side the spring!
When the sign appears in Main Street everyone should be aware that the next Friday evening (usually the second Friday of the month) is Pub Night.
The History Group
The History Group (formerly known as the Ancestry Group) is formed of about 10 residents who have an interest in collating historical facts about Thurlaston and its community. The Group tends to meet during the darker, winter months.
In recent times, particularly over the 2020/21 pandemic period, there has been little group activity. However we hope to rectify this and establish one or two workstreams covering both Thurlaston’s Archives, and its Social & Geographical Evolution particularly over the past three centuries.
We aim to build on previous activities such as the 2016 residents' survey, and cataloguing geographical changes with regards to housing stock and the village layout. Tacit with all this will be to use digital technology to record details of artefacts, historical pictures, parish records, and so forth. This will allow us to put information on our website so that it is available 24/7 rather than just being locked up in a vault. An important goal is to create accessible comprehensive records of Thurlaston village and its community that will be available for generations to come.
If you are interested in joining the Group then in the first instance please get in touch with our Parish Clerk. Your support will be very much appreciated.
THURLASTON LADIES GROUP
Thurlaston Ladies Club was founded over 50 years ago. The Club maintains popular, especially with retired ladies in the village, and continues to offer speakers, outings and social lunching. It regularly supports village events.
Meetings usually take place at 2:30 on the second Monday of the month in the Village Hall, unless otherwise stated on their programme.
The 2018/19 entrance fee is £1 for members – guests are always welcome at £2 entrance fee, which includes refreshments of tea and biscuits.
TLC gives between £800 and £1,000 to various chosen charities each year.
During 2018/19 there are joint Chairs (Jenny Cooper & Judy Douglas) who may be contacted by email Jenny Cooper and Judy Douglas
Progressive Suppers
Thurlaston has held progressive suppers for well over 30 years! They were started by Jess Cumming as a fundraiser to help maintain the Village Hall. Currently a small group of volunteers headed up by Mikala Torrance and Karen Mcglocklan, organise them.
The evening is about relaxing over an enjoyable meal with fellow villagers; sometimes meeting new people and making new friends, sometimes meeting old friends and catching up. Whichever it is and it will probably be both, the idea is to enjoy good company, catch up and laugh a lot; the food is just an excuse to sit round the same table!
The format is simple, once or twice a year villagers are invited to participate by electing to cook a starter, main course or dessert or to attend as a non-cook. (Participants are asked to nominate a second choice to cook – in case too many people want to do starters etc but usually all requests are accommodated as many don’t mind which course they do.) The opening and closing dates for bookings, together with contact details are announced by ThurlastonNet e-mail, door-drop flyer, Thurlaston website and posters.
The plan is that each couple sits down to each course at a different venue with six different villagers, this relies on the optimum number of couples attending but usually it works out well. Newcomers to the village are encouraged to attend as non-cooks at their first progressive so they can see how it works. About a week before the supper, hosts will be contacted to confirm arrangements.
As a tradition the evening begins at the Village Hall at 7.00pm with a drink and a chat with fellow villagers; payments are collected. Guests receive an envelope indicating where they will be enjoying their first course. Hosts are also given envelopes with the destination of the next course for everyone at their table. Envelopes should not be opened until the specified times. Once hosts have left, guests will follow 10 minutes later.
The Progressive is NOT a cookery competition and it is very acceptable to purchase ready-made starters, mains and desserts, so please don’t be put off if cookery isn’t your thing. The evening is about catching up with old friends and making new ones, not worrying if your prepared course is okay!
If you would like to come but on your own please ‘pair up’ with another single and offer to host a course between you. There are people whose halves have work commitments and cannot come or just wouldn’t enjoy it so ask around we’re sure you’ll find someone to pair with.
It really is a great way to meet and get to know fellow villagers over a relaxed meal and drink. If you have any questions please email Mikala Torrance (mikalatorrance@outlook.com) or telephone 07841 288706.