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Thringstone House 100 Project (1901 -
2001)
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(Photo by P Brotherhood)
In 1886 Charles Booth, the great philanthropist and social reformer,
moved from London with his family to live at Gracedieu Manor. The Booths took
an extraordinary interest in the life of Thringstone and as a result of their
constant acts of kindness and generosity the village was to benefit
immeasurably in its development and welfare over the next fifty years.
To this day, hundreds of local people still benefit from their provision of
"The Thringstone Trust". This has its origins in 1901, when Charles
purchased 'Thringstone House', a lovely eighteenth century farm dwelling
situated by the village green, for the purpose of providing local inhabitants
with a meeting place for social, educational and recreational activity.
This little venture, which became known as the 'Thringstone House Club' proved
so successful that in 1911 Booth engaged his cousin, the architect, Harry
Fletcher of London, to add the imposing two-storeyed hall to the rear of the
premises and founded the Thringstone Trust, a registered charity, which states
that the institute and its grounds shall be used in perpetuity for the benefit
of the inhabitants of Thringstone and the surrounding parishes of Whitwick,
Swannington, Worthington, Osgathorpe, Coleorton and Belton.
During the inter-war years, the 'Clubhouse' became a hugely popular dance venue
and was renowned for its 'sprung' dance floor. While legend has it that the
village green was once the site of a marriage market, it is certainly the case
that many matches were made at the club dances.
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