Thornton, Fife
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Thornton is a village in Fife, Scotland. It is situated in between Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes. The village stands between the rivers Ore and Lochty on either ends of the main street.
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[edit] Transport
The village has a small train station, which is often referred to as "Glenrothes with Thornton". Although situated in Thornton, it also serves the Glenrothes area. This rail halt was opened in the 1990's replacing the main line Railway Station that closed during the TBD.
[edit] Railways
During the first part of the 20th century, Thornton Railway station was situated on the Aberdeen - London main line at the far end of the village at the end of Station road.
The village once boasted the largest railway marshalling yard in Scotland during the 1950's, this yard is still in existence for rail freight services.
[edit] Coal Mining
In 1957 the Rothes Pit was opened to mine the coal underlying the village. The planned long-term benefits were to be huge, and the driver for economic regeneration for central Fife. In 1961, 4 years after opening, the huge investment was written off and the mine run down because of un-stemmable flooding. Ironically, miners who'd worked in older deep pits in the area had fore-warned against the development of the Rothes Pit for this very reason. The state-of-the art engineering and design was closed, leaving the huge enclosed concrete wheel-towers standing at Thornton for many years as a forlorn symbol of the collapse until 1993 when the towers where destroyed.
[edit] Sport
Thornton is home to the junior football club Thornton Hibs and Thornton Amateurs, the latter of whom play in the Fife Premier Amateur League. Both teams play at Memorial Park in the village.
In season 2005-2006, Thornton Amateurs won the Fife Amateur First Division at the first attempt being promoted to the Premier Division where they currently play.
In season 2007-2008, Thornton Hibs reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup only to be narrowly beaten by Cumnock 3-0 after extra time (0-0), after the Hibs being reduced to 10 men (Goalkeeper) in the 89th minute.
The village also has its own 18-hole golf course. [1] and Bowling Club.
[edit] Culture
The village main street once contained a 'bevvy' of drinking establishments, starting from the Crown Hotel, on the Kirkcaldy side, to the Ship and Stern, on the Glenrothes side. In between existed the Corner Shop and Junction (Railway Club). Outwith the main drag, beverages can be consumed at the Greyhound track, and the bowling and golf clubs.
The village annually holds a Highland Games every July.
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