Acton Court is believed to be the most original Tudor house in Britain. The East wing was built by Nicholas Poyntz in 1535 for a weekend visit by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Acton Court will open to the public from 3 July to 11 August 2013, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Full access to the house and grounds is with a professional guide only. There are a number of special events throughout the season; please check the website below for details.
Tel: 01454 228224
www.actoncourt.com
Email:
Learn to Sew classes held locally for ages 8 to adult; After School Clubs, Holiday Clubs, Kids Parties, Teens and Adults. Kids learn the skills to make felt animal pincushions, felt cushions, cute key rings and pretty purses, sew straight stitch, applique, blanket stitch, sewing on a button and beads. Teens and adults can learn to use a sewing machine whilst making pretty items such as bags with bows, lounging trousers or a simple skirt. Lots of fun projects to make and everything is supplied.
Tel: 01454 411915 or 07793 373355
Email:
A wide range of inspirational courses on smallholding, horticultural and rural skills and crafts. You can choose from learning to keep bees, wildlife gardening and learn to work with felt, plus many other fascinating workshops for both men and women. A popular and original gift idea.
Tel: 01454 415296
www.mumbleysfarmhouse.co.uk
Email:
The Wool Stop welcomes knitters and crocheters of all ages and types. We're packed with lovely yarns and other bits and bobs including patterns, needles, buttons, cottons and bags. Pop in to browse, or bring your knitting, sit in the Knitter Natter room and enjoy coffee and chat with other woolly minded people.
Look out for workshops and Knitter Natter sessions coming soon, we'd love you to join us. Please see our website below:
Tel: 01454 419912
Tel: 07812 181474
www.thewoolstop.co.uk
Email:
We meet in the Jubilee Hall, Alveston on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm. Each month there is a guest speaker to enlighten us on all manner of things "gardening". Visits are made to several lovely gardens/properties each year (both National Trust and privately owned) either as part of an extended trip or as day trips.
The club is managed by a Committee operating under a Constitution and is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and to the Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies.
Anyone interested finding out more can contact the Secretary, Frank Wells:
Email:
Area 35 (formerly Thornbury Youth Centre) is situated within Turnberrie's Community Centre and has its own entrance. It is open for all young people between 11 and 25 with different nights for different ages.
Our facilities include, Sports hall, Coffee bar with Pool table, Table tennis table, Big Screen projector TV, DJ equipment and computers.
We run a full programme of activities including cooking, arts and crafts, photography, music, dance, sport etc.
For more information please click below or call 01454 865752.
Email:
Held at The Chantry, Castle Street, Thornbury BS35 1HB
Tel: 07791 400362
The group meets on the 2nd Thursday evening of the month and try out different games. If you are 'game for a laugh' and would like to join us, please contact Marjory (412282) or Anne (416098) for more details.
Tel: 07581 529341
Mustay House Studio, Tockington
Tel: 01454 612226 or mob 07787 762747
Our meetings are in the Armstrong Hall on the second Tuesday of each month between 7pm and 9pm. We have a varied selection of speakers and also organise trips to gardens of interest during the year. If you would like to join the club, please contact either Jill Lowden on 01453 842235 or Ann Varney on 01454 260235. Membership for the year is only £12. You can also come along as a visitor to see if you would like to join - at a cost of only £1.50.
If you like reading books and would like to meet to discuss a book once a month then join us. We sit around a log fire at Little Whitfield Farmhouse with a warm cup of tea, something to nibble and our book-stories to tell.
For more information, contact Mike or Gill Spiller on 01454 260153.
Email:
There is a craft group which meets on the second Monday of each month in the Olveston Methodist Hall, and all crafters are welcome to come along and share their crafts with others.
For more information please contact Mary Slader on 07747 562264 or by email below.
We meet in Thornbury's Armstrong Hall complex on the 4th Wednesday of each month except August and December.
We try to cater for all levels of quilters from beginners to the more experienced.
For more information contact Lorraine Shergold 01454 417559 or by email below.
Daggs Allotments at the top of the High Street are administered for the people of Thornbury by Thornbury Town Trust.
Thomas Dagg gave the field to Thornbury in 1546, so we tend what must be some of the oldest allotments in the country.
There are 120 allotments, and the Association has over 100 members. It organises social events, monthly newsletters, and an Allotment Shop.
Gillingstool Primary School's plot offers pupils the chance to grow and eat their own produce.
Membership costs just a couple of pounds a year, and brings many benefits. You don't need to be a plot holder to become a member. We have discounted seeds, competitive prices on gardening items, guest speakers and visits.
If you would like to become a member, or be added to the waiting list for a plot, contact Margaret Powell at the Town Trust by email below.
We meet for demonstrations and practice classes at Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, at 7.30pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. New members and visitors are always welcome at either the demonstration or practice nights. We are affiliated to NAFAS. For more information contact the Secretary Mrs Margaret Gover on 01454 261810.
We are a group of women of all ages who meet monthly to exchange ideas, learn new skills, raise money for local and international charities and generally have fun!
We meet in the Cossham Hall on the second Wednesday in the month for a short business meeting followed by a speaker or entertainment.
For more information, please click below.
We are a small friendly club who meet every Wednesday evening at 8pm. Subject to programme, we usually meet at the Chantry, Thornbury.
Courses and exams can be arranged. Morse practice is available.
Please see our website, below, for details of our location, activities and the weekly club meetings programme. For more information, please contact Stan Goodwin, G0RYM:
TSGARC.ham-radio-op.net
Email:
We meet Fridays at 8pm in the old scenery store in The Chantry garden.
Most scales, gauges, companies and tractions are accounted for and membership boasts a wide range of skills. We hold our own exhibition over the last weekend of November, and as member of the Association of Model Railway Clubs, Wales & West of England we also take part in their exhibition held at Thornbury Leisure Centre on May Bank Holiday Weekends.
For more information, call Rob Mills on 01454 412440 or email below.
Email:
Thornbury Art Club has been running nearly 40 years, and is open to anyone over 16.
Our Club Nights, normally first Wednesday of the month, are open to visitors for a charge of £2 (free refreshments!) - other events require membership.
Membership includes social functions and a summer programme of outdoor painting sessions. Studio painting sessions are held three times a week.
The club welcomes photographers of all abilities. We meet at 7.30 for 7.45 every Monday evening at the Bakery annexe near the Wheatsheaf pub, September to April, and have a reduced programme during the summer. The meetings are a mix of guest speakers, competitions and practical evenings. We run a beginners course in the Autumn, and students regularly join us for club meetings. If you would like more details, contact us, or come along to one of our meetings.
Email:
We meet once a month to appreciate entertainment by British Country Music Artists, either as a listener or dancer (couples/line dancing/or just freestyle). We guarantee a good night out with a friendly atmosphere. Come dressed or casual. There is a large dance floor with a bar, raffle and food for sale. All shows start at 8pm, admission £5.50. For more information, contact Nancy on 01454 632135 or by email.
The club meets every second Thursday of the month at St Mary's Church Hall, 7.30 for 8-10pm. Join us for an evening of fun, make new friends and try your hand at a new craft? The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience. The evening normally concludes with an item to take home and show off to the family! Anyone is welcome to attend from the age of 16 with any ability level. To attend a trial evening please ring Maggie Taylor on 01453 810574 or 07980 528315 or email below.
There are currently 140 members and the Society has just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Nine events are organised by the committee every year. These include two dinner and dances (St. David's Day and Christmas), Welsh Male Choir concert, carol service, an evening trip and day trip as well as three social events with buffet supper and entertainment (such as fun quiz, games night, casino night, fun barn dance musical entertainment and AGM). Many members come to all events but some prefer to come to only a few. The Society is above all a lively, very friendly group of people who enjoy meeting together to enjoy themselves. Please email or call Clive Farnham on 417669.
We are a section of Thornbury Museum and meet on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the Chantry. We meet to exchange information about local and world wide geological topics and examine maps, rocks, minerals and fossils. No previous knowledge of geology is needed and beginners and experts alike are welcome.
Email:
If you would like to join the Horticultural Society, which is affiliated to the RHS, the current rate is £5 per annum and membership entitles you to a discount on all garden-related purchases at Thornbury Garden Shop. For more information please contact Mr Rex Davis, Chairman Thornbury Horticultural Society on 0793 4560207 or by email below.
Email:
We meet at Thornbury Leisure Centre.
Tel: 01454 865777
Thornbury Library is free to join, free to use, and gives you access to a world of books, film, music, information, and more, with free Internet access.
Opening hours are: Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-5.30pm, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-7pm, Saturday 9.30am-5pm, Thursday and Sunday closed.
St Mary Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AA
Tel: 01454 868006
Email:
Archaeology and local history. See the events calendar for details of meetings. All meetings (AGM excepted) are at St Mary's Church Hall beginning at 7.30pm. All visitors are welcome. There is a small charge of £2.50. For more information, please click below.
Thornbury Squares has been in existence for eighteen years, and during that time many people from Thornbury and district have discovered the joys of square dancing and made many new friends.
Classes run on Thursdays at 8pm in Manorbrook School, Thornbury. If you would like to find out what square dancing is all about, why not turn up or ring Ann (885058) or Sue (778795) for more details.
Thornbury University of the Third Age was founded in 1997 and is now one of the largest organisations in the town with over 1500 members.
The title ‘University’ can be misleading as members do not require any qualifications to join and there are no examinations to sit or awards made. It provides a wide range of educational, social and leisure activities and is an excellent way of meeting people and making friends. There is no age limit on membership but you need to have ceased full-time employment as most groups meet during the day, either in members’ homes or halls in the local area.
However, in order to keep our size within reasonable limits, members do need to live either in Thornbury or within quite a large area around it as defined by a set of postcodes.
Annual membership, due 1st January, is £6 per person and £10 for two people at the same address. This enables members to join as many of the seventy-plus groups as they wish. There are also a number of excellent one-day visits and summer outings that are open to all U3A members.
Click below for further information and a full list of all the groups on offer.
Thornbury WI was re-formed in 2010, since then the “Thorn Birds” have evolved into a friendly sociable group of women of all ages.
We like to try new activities and listen to a variety of speakers, we enjoy meeting new friends, and having fun.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7.30–9.30pm at Thornbury Methodist Hall. Click below to find out more...
We meet on the first Friday in each month at 8pm in the Armstrong Hall. We stage three commercial wine tastings a year, including wines possibly more expensive than one would normally buy. For these evenings we charge between £3 and £5 depending on actual costs of wine and light supper.
Our other evenings involve slide shows and talks. These are funded from the annual subscription of £12. The Christmas meeting is at an hotel with dinner and dance, and the summer event is often a Mystery Coach Tour to an out of the way pub.
Unlike when the Wine Circle began in the Seventies, home made wine is not often made these days, but some grape and elderberry wine is used at BBQs, and mulled wine at Christmas.
For more information, contact Andrew Gillingham on 01454 415015 or by email below.
We are a lively and friendly group and welcome new writers whether they be poets, novelists, article writers or anyone who just loves the written word. We meet Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm at The Chantry. For more information phone Rosie on 01749 870328 or click below.
Morton Baptist Church, Horse Lane, Lower Morton, Thornbury BS35 1LF
Special Meeting: “The Design and Origin of Man”
Speaker: Professor Stuart Burgess
Professor Stuart Burgess BSc(Eng), PhD, CEng, FIMechE, FRAeS has taught engineering design at Cambridge University and Bristol University. He has won many national awards for engineering design including the Turners Gold Medal and a Mollins Design Prize. He has published over 120 scientific articles on design in engineering and design in nature. He has seven patents and carried out design projects for industry including designing parts of rockets and spacecraft for the European Space Agency. He is author of several books. He has lectured in many countries including the USA and Japan.
This meeting is suitable for all ages and everyone is welcome. (It is not a ‘worship service’). Dr Burgess will give an audio-visual presentation and take questions in the chapel, and afterward free refreshments will be served in the schoolroom,... Read more >>
34 High Street, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2AJ
1st June is The Wool Stop's 1st birthday, can you believe it! To celebrate there will be cake and fizz in the shop on the day, and every customer who spends at least £1 will be entered into a prize draw to win either a gift voucher or a free knitting or crochet workshop.
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Plant Hunters - Thomas Lobb in the Far East, with Jan Broadway
The Chantry, Thornbury
Come and enjoy a lively evening of traditional pub games with a pie and salad supper, plus a glass or two from our friendly bar at the usual good prices.
Try your hand at Table Skittles and Shove Ha’penny. Have a game of Pool. When was the last time you played Darts or Dominoes?
New tonight: Horseshoe Pitching, Quoits and Boules in the beautiful gardens.
Free entry.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or click below.
www.thechantry.org.uk
Email:
Alveston House Hotel
A networking meeting for members of the Castle School Premium Partners Scheme.
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
A Coronation Celebration on 19th June (not 12th) and the competition is for a Coronation memento.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
Skills Night - Various workshops and demos
For more information, please call Lorraine Shergold on 01454 417559 or email below.
Email:
The Swan, Thornbury
The exhibition runs from Saturdays 29th June to 13th July, Sundays excluded, 10am to 7pm daily.
This year's Thornbury Art Club Exhibition will be "Serendipity VIII".
Following last year's successful event, we shall again be at The Swan in Thornbury High Street, in the Skittle Alley Gallery at the rear of the building.
With over 50 local artists exhibiting diverse styles, media and subject matter, our affordable art suits many tastes.
What a great opportunity to happen upon a unique painting; and don't forget to vote for your favourite artwork!
We are delighted that again members of Thornbury and District Stroke Support Group will be exhibiting with us.
We always enjoy viewing the lovely pictures of these special local artists.
A new treat is the cream teas that our Swan host, Sandra, is selling this summer and we shall be supporting her chosen charity which is our local Citizen's Advice Bureau.
Access is through the Swan or the wide gates at the rear in Quaker Lane.
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Fuschias, Species and other Cultivars, with Peter Holloway
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.
Turnberrie's Community Centre, Thornbury
Although the NAFAS Area Day at the Armstrong Hall is fully booked, the public can visit the flower arrangements that have been entered in the competitions at Turnberrie's when they have been judged.
They are available to view between 12noon and 4pm. Trade stands in Cossham Hall on the same day are also open to the public.
For more information please click below.
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
Group Visit to Oakshott Fabrics. (members only)
For more information, please call Lorraine Shergold on 01454 417559 or email below.
Email:
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Social evening
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
If the skies are clear, get out the deck chairs and spend an hour in the dark looking upwards - the annual Perseid meteor shower peaks on the night of August 12th.
Shooting stars can appear anywhere in the sky, so best simply to sit where you can see as much sky as possible, away from bright streetlights; no need for telescopes or binoculars. An hour's stargazing will usually yield a dozen or so shooting stars.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
The Garden Year, Part 2, with George Hargreaves
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Click below to view the 2012 schedule - this will be updated nearer the time.
South Gloucestershire’s biggest festival 12 September – 1 November 2013
Do you want to showcase your group or organisation, attract new members or promote a special activity? Are you holding an exhibition in the autumn or have a performance planned? Then join us for Discover 2013.
The Discover Festival is an exciting and diverse programme of events for all ages to discover something new in South Gloucestershire. It is organised by South Gloucestershire Council, local residents, community groups and businesses.
The first Discover Festival in 2012 saw over 6000 people attending 186 events across the local area.
The next Discover Festival will take place from 12 September to 1 November 2013 and will feature events covering:
· nature
· heritage including Heritage Open Days
· food including events previously promoted as part of the Taste Festival
· life age 50+ including events previously promoted as part of the Celebrating Age Festival
·... Read more >>
Email:
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
25th Birthday Party with members past and present.
For more information, please call Lorraine Shergold on 01454 417559 or email below.
Email:
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Spanish Flora, with Pam Forrest
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.
The Chantry, Thornbury
1: Encaustic, Tempera and Fresco
10.30am-4.30pm
When you look at a painting, what do you see... a view, a portrait, something abstract maybe? It is of course nothing of the sort: just an illusion made from a skin of paint.
The type of paint, and its associated techniques, has played a decisive role in major developments in the history of Art.
This richly illustrated course will run over four sessions. The first will explore the ancient technique of wax encaustic, perfect for portraits on mummy cases! Tough bright egg tempera was ideal for altar panels, and fresco allowed cost effective decoration of vast new chuches and civic buildings.
By examining a range of painting from across the centuries, we will discover the important role materials and their techniques play in our understanding and enjoyment of Art.
Former university lecturer Lynne Gibson is an experienced tutor with a vast collection of slides and her talks are always illuminating and inspiring.
Fee £28 to... Read more >>
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
Talk - ‘Colour and Illusion’ with Jan Hassard
For more information, please call Lorraine Shergold on 01454 417559 or email below.
Email:
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Annual General Meeting
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.
The Chantry, Thornbury
2: Watercolour and Gouache
10.30am-4.30pm
When you look at a painting, what do you see... a view, a portrait, something abstract maybe? It is of course nothing of the sort: just an illusion made from a skin of paint.
The type of paint, and its associated techniques, has played a decisive role in major developments in the history of Art.
This richly illustrated course will run over four sessions. The second will look at the water-based paints used for illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniatures, illustration and "sur le motif" sketching. We will explore the English "National Art" of watercolour painting.
By examining a range of painting from across the centuries, we will discover the important role materials and their techniques play in our understanding and enjoyment of Art.
Former university lecturer Lynne Gibson is an experienced tutor with a vast collection of slides and her talks are always illuminating and inspiring.
Fee £28 to include tea/coffee and biscuits. To... Read more >>
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
Christmas Workshop with Heather Hasell
For more information, please call Lorraine Shergold on 01454 417559 or email below.
Email:
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
Wandering around Kyoto Gardens, with Margaret Orchard
Jubilee Hall, Alveston
For more information, please click below.
Cossham Hall, Thornbury
Christmas Party – American Supper plus fun and games.
For more information, please call Lorraine Shergold on 01454 417559 or email below.
Email:
St Mary's Church Hall
The meetings are a mix of demonstrations, speakers and hands-on experience, and normally conclude with an item to take home and show off to the family! Click below for more information.
The Chantry, Thornbury
Held in the Social Club Bar. All are welcome and entry is only £4 for a team of four people. Questions will be set by your question master Matthew Stringer on a range of subjects from general knowledge to history and geography to literature, and much more. The bar will be open from 7:30pm for liquid refreshment.
For further details please telephone 01454 414268 or 853546.












