Welcome to the website of the Thorney Post.
The picture selection at the top of the page will look familiar to anyone who knows Thorney.
However, our village is about to change dramatically with news that two new large housing developments are to be built, adding around 160 homes. With plans already passed for a further 40 homes in various smaller pockets, that’s about 200 new dwellings set to be built in the next three years.
There’s no doubt that new homes are needed and the new developments planned seem, in general, to be good quality and in keeping (as far as any new development can be) with the rest of the village.
Such a large increase in housing stock – it’s a 20 per cent increase in the size of the village – will place a strain on certain facilities and infrastructure, including the village school, doctors and roads.
It’s the biggest development Thorney has seen since the Duke of Bedford built the model village!
I was born in Thorney in 1936 and am now living in Australia.
I still have cousins in the village and also very special old friends.
I lived in Thorney for the first 22 years of my life, therefore it was very influential to my way of thinking.
My mother remembers you Frederick & your brothers ( Kenny + 1 she says ) & sister ( Eileen ) & apparently you lived in Church Street. She was Barbara Norbury & she thinks her father used to work with your father at Perkins Engines.
Hi Darren,
Good to hear from you. Your mother has a good memory; I had a sister Eileen and brother Ken. The +1 could be either my eldest brother Stan (currently living in Spain) or my youngest brother David (currently living in Peakirk). My father did work at Perkins so it’s probable that he knew your grandfather. When out in the village or maybe at the Rose and Crown, please say hello to old mates Colin Ladds and John Culpin on my behalf.
Hi Fred, you wont know me, my name’s Mike Fovargue, son of Margaret (nee Peacock) and Ivor, your my mum’s cousin. I have very fond memories of my nan Nellie Peacock and great uncle Ernie who was your father’s brother, I believe.
When I was a lad, I remember going to see uncle Ernie down Gas Lane sitting at the bottom of his workshop having a cuppa and a smoke on his pipe, never did actually see him doing any work, but as I’ve been told I don’t think he liked a lot of work. Loved him to bits, he used to come down to mum’s every Sunday morning and bring us kids a bag of sweets from Watts shop.
I remember Fred your dad although I only met him a handful of times, very funny and always seemed to be very happy. Fred and uncle Ernie were the two funniest people I knew when I was growing up, always seemed happy and content. My dad Ivor used to tell us about Fred driving the bus for Thorney football club, and some of the funniest stories, some great memories, love to have them days back again.
I lived in Church Street until a few years ago – I think in your house! It’s now number 20 (changed since your time).
Next to the Victorian School.
Margaret
I have come back to Thorney from Oxfordshire on a regular basis since the passing of my father, Jim Flint, in December. Dad and mum (Jane; nee Holland) farmed at Causeway Lodge for all of their married lives before before moving to The Maltings in 1999, with mum passing away a few years later.
Since returning to sort out dad’s affairs following his relatively quick decline and death, I have been made very welcome by the village, and have appreciated the concern and friendliness from old and new friends alike, from Judy and Neil Harris, long time supporters of mum and dad, to the library staff who remember dad taking out books partly in an effort to keep it open, to the lively, sociable crowd at the Legion, who have made my overnight stays in dad’s house much more bearable.
As for Causeway Lodge, the source of so many happy memories as a child with the building, a farmyard and open fields to play in as a child, from days spent cracking the ice in deep ruts made by tractor tyres in winter to stifling summer days pulling wild oats out by hand while covered in wheat midge, what a terrible sight. I cannot understand while it hasn’t either been boarded up or demolished. It is surely a serious risk to health as it is. On a personal level, it is distressing in the extreme, with gaping holes in the structure and nature gradually reclaiming it. It stands as a metaphor for a lost childhood and family, and is a very unfortunate sight as you enter the village via the bypass from the west.
But I want to reiterate how the village is still such a friendly place. I look forward to my visits much more because of it.
I remember the farm well, Paul. I was a close friend of Rachel’s but have completely lost contact with her. Please could you pass her my email address?
Hi Jane
I’m sure Rachel would love to hear from you! What would be the best way for her to get in contact (your email address is not visible)?
Paul
I also remember your family. My grandfather was Elijah Fenn and lived near to Nellie. My daughter, Carolyn, was at school with David’s step-daughter, Cheryl
Lived down Topham Crescent as a child and early teens. Mum taught at Duke of Bedford. Happy days spent in Thorney.
do you remember a wildlife/zoo in the village early 70s we are sure we visited and met a huge giraffe sincerely janet
I surely do remember the wildlife park. I like many other teenagers had weekend and holiday jobs there in the cafe and kiosks. I worked on the main gate taking the entrance money from visitors and at the end of the day I had to lock up and leave through the deserted park. I was often pelted with unmentionable items by Sydney the gorilla as I cycled past his enclosure!
Hello
Thorney Heritage Museum has a display about the zoo, which we are working to add to. We also hope to have the profile of someone associated with the zoo in our range of Profiles of Notable People. If you are able to visit on a Sunday afternoon you can see the display – if that is inconvenient we can open the Museum by appointment for visitors. Contact us at dot.thorney@tesco.net
Dorothy
Curator
Thorney Heritage Museum
I also remember the wildlife/zoo park in the 1970’s. I seem to recall that it was run by Chipperfields of circus fame. However, I regret to say that in my opinion some of the animals were not all kept in the best conditions. Perhaps it’s best closed!
The wildlife park was run by Bobby and Tommy Roberts of the Roberts Brothers Circus. Their wives, Kitty and Marie ran the souvenir hut near the main entrance. I had a weekend job selling ice cream and soft drinks from a shed opposite to the souvenir hut.
I was a evacuated from London to Mr, Mrs Butler who had a farm in English Drove in 1941 they had a son named Donald Happy Days. They was very good to me
Donald and his wife Peggy are still running the farm in English Drove, you’ll be pleased to know. They do get some help from their son these days.
Hi Eric. If you see Donald give him my regards, we had lots of happy times together Thank You
If I remember Donald’s grandfather had a house on the left as you walked up English Drove and I was staying with his son further up English Drove on right hand side,