Thornborough

Thornborough is a village 3 miles east of Buckingham.  It has a population of about 500 living in 220 houses.  There is a primary school in the village with 35 children aged 4-7 years.  There is a refurbished village hall, one pub and a community Post Office (open three mornings a week) and a sports field used by well-supported football and cricket teams.  Other organisations include WI, Friendship, Domino and Darts teams.  There is an annual sports day supported by the village and the wider community.

Buildings

St Mary the Virgin is a medieval church which is Grade II listed.  It is basically sound but major refurbishment will be necessary on the bell tower and chancel roof in the near future.  There are no other church buildings.  There is a good peal of bells (5) which are rung for weddings, evensong and Friday evenings fortnightly.  The churchyard is still in use.

Worship

Thornborough shares a Priest with Radclive-cum-Chackmore, Thornton with Nash, Beachampton and Whaddon who lives in the Rectory in the village.  Weekly services are clergy or lay led; 'Hymns Old & New' & 'Junior Praise' are the main hymn books used.  There is an organ and an organist.  We share a monthly Family Service with the Methodist Church which is hosted alternately.  There is good attendance at the Book of Common Prayer 8.30am Holy Communion and 6pm Evensong.  Worship patterns are under review (2006).  We are experimenting with a Family Communion at 10.30am on the 4^th Sunday but take-up is slow at present.

Organisation & Links with Other Churches

There are six PCC members and one Churchwarden.  One PCC member represents the parish on Deanery Synod.  The PCC meets four times a year plus two Benefice Forums.  The Churchwardens and Treasurer regularly meet other Benefice officials.  There is a Methodist Church built in 1902.  An ecumenical Sunday School for children aged 5-9 years meets on Mondays in the Village Hall.  The PCC works hard to contribute to the life of the Deanery, its weakness being there are too few human resources to develop the church.