Thorne
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Thorne is a market town in South Yorkshire, England
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[edit] Geography
It lies east of the River Don, on the Stainforth Canal, and is located at approximately , at an elevation of around 5 metres above sea level, on the Yorkshire side of the border with Lincolnshire. The civil parish of Thorne also takes in the village of Moorends to the north. It is part of the metropolitan borough of Doncaster in the metropolitan county of South Yorkshire
The town is served by two railway stations: Thorne North, and Thorne South; as well as Junction 6 of the M18 and junction 1 of the M180. The A614 runs through the town, crossing the canal.
[edit] History
The land which is now Thorne was once inhabited by Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age people. It became a permanent settlement around AD700, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The main industries in the town have traditionally been coal mining and farming, although many residents now commute to Doncaster.
[edit] Places of interest
Brass Band concerts are held in the park during the summer months, which is also the location for the annual Thorne Festival. Thorne and Moorends had its very own Community Radio station during the summer of 2005.
Notable buildings in the town include the eleventh century parish church and the motte of Peel Hill Castle. Other attractions include the extensive Thorne Moors.
[edit] Landmarks
There are Dutch-like bridges over canals, such as the Wykewell bridge. There are two large water towers. The parish church is St Nicholas.
[edit] Sport
Local rugby league side Moorends-Thorne Marauders RLFC play in the CMS Yorkshire league during the winter season and the Rugby League Conference during the summer.
Thorne is also home to the rugby union side Thornensians RUFC who currently play in Yorkshire Division 3.
Speedway racing, then known as Dirt Track racing, was staged a track on the southern edge of the town in 1930. Billed as "The Wembley of the North" the track was a bit basic and followed the edge of the football pitch on the inside of the track. Rather than two sweeping bends, the track shown on contemporary ordnance survey maps, had four corners and four straights.
[edit] School
In September 2005 a newly built school, Trinity Academy, opened in Thorne. Specialising in Business and Enterprise. The £24 million state of the art Academy has nine classes per year group, and an initial school population of 1250 children, between the ages of 11 – 18, and is the third Christian Ethos school founded by Sir Peter Vardy.
The new Academy replaced Thorne Grammar School, a once notable provider of distinguished education and boasts many famous Alumni, including Lesley Garrett; George Porter, a nobel prize-winning chemist; Charles Spencer, a renowned pianist; and Sir Graham Hall, former CEO of Yorkshire Electricity.
[edit] Famous people from Thorne
Famous people from Thorne include Roy Clarke and Thomas Crapper. Former professional footballer Leigh Jenkinson, who represented Wales internationally, is also from Thorne. Additionally, Gillian Coultard, former captain of England women's football team during the 1990s is also borne and bred in Thorne. Gill was the first woman ever to score a goal at Wembley stadium and has over 120 caps for representing England.
[edit] External links
- Thorne and Moorends Town Council
- Thorne & Moorends Community Radio, TMCR 87.9 now off-air but coming back in 2008.
- Friends of Buntings Wood, adopt a tree on this restoration site.
- Thorne Memorial Park Miniature Railway Open most Sundays, check the site for details..
- Waterstart, a waterways based training and recreational facility based at Thorne
- The Bungalow Project, Moorends Drug Awareness and Support Group
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