The Historic Market Town of Thorne

There are fifteen Thorne and Moorends Councillors who are elected representatives of our town, there are nine for Thorne and six for Moorends. Each councillor has many functions and responsibilities in the council. Councillors are not paid and receive no income, so all work done on our residents behalf is completely voluntary.

We work within strict guidelines which are set by Government Statute, but we are often free to deem what is in the best interests of our Parish and act on it.

We often cooperate with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to fight for our rights, eg. the improvement of the highway network, better lighting etc.

Unfortunately, our direct control over many issues is limited as D.M.B.C (Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council ) is responsible for such things as Housing, Highways, Education, Planning decisions etc. However, as a separate body representing almost 20,000 people, we do act as a pressure group on Statutory Bodies. We are not under the influence of D.M.B.C although they do have to consult us on some matters concerning the Parish.

We can employ solicitors, barristers or other professionals to advise on cases on behalf of the Community

Our Council historic heritage includes being a Burial Authority and having a Market Charter, for which we have the power to levy a Precept.

The Precept is calculated by estimating our income from Market tolls, Burial charges, fees from user groups, grants etc. Then estimating our historic expenditure, adding planned capital expenditure, taking one from the other, leaving a figure that is required to be levied by a precept, to maintain the services we provide.

As precept payers, we are all shareholders in a Town Council that owns many "public buildings" and 100's of acres of land. The Council provides many local facilities which are separate from those of D.M.B.C The Council is grateful for the assistance given by a dedicated team of volunteers and self help groups.

Thorne, 11 miles northeast of Doncaster, boasts a wealth of attractions for visitors. Access is easy with the M18 / M180 motorways nearby, two railway stations and the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation canal running through the Town.The present day landscape reflects the work of Dutchman Cornelius Vermuyden who transformed thousands of acres of marshes into valuable farmland during the mid 17th Century. Thorne has been called Little Holland, with its flat landscape, big skies, canals and (disused) windmills.

Thorne Farmers Market

Thorne was once a busy market town with regular large markets and visitors came from miles around. It was a hive of industry with jobs available in farming, coal mining, ship yards, woodyards and the canals. Then industry declined and Thorne became the fourth most deprived area in Doncaster with very few jobs available.

The original aim for setting up the Thorne Farmers Market was to promote the rural town of Thorne, promotion of healthy eating and a healthy diet was another factor.

We believe that our Farmers Market brings in tourism, it is a social occasion bringing the community together. It encourages the local economy and supports the local businessess.The Farmers Market fresh, healthy, home produced very good quality produce and is sold at a reasonable price and we believe value for money.

We have been operating for over two years now and our stalls consist of Butchers, fresh local vegetables, organic soups, meat pies, fresh bread, preserves, olives, rare breed pork, cakes & biscuits, specialty crisps, crafts-jewellary, cards & plants, cross stitch & rag dolls.