Manthorpe Park

History

Manthorpe Park is set in one acre of land in a residential street (Roxby Road), close to the village centre. It is the route to the local primary school and surrounded by residential property and a perimeter fence. The park is privately owned by the people of Thornton Le Dale, Wilton and Ellerburn and managed by a local volunteer management committee.

The park was established in 1965 by some local residents having seen the need for a play area for children in Thornton le Dale. They secured a loan from the National Playing Fields Association at the time, and spent the next four years fundraising to pay it off.  Today, the park is still totally dependent on local fundraising.  At the bottom of this page you will find the Constitution Document for the Association. Click here to see a pictorial history of the park/more. Our thanks to John Scoble for the music on this presentation, which comes from his Charity CD. John can be contacted via Thornton Dale Ukuleles.

The Park Today

Within the park, the children benefit from a fenced skate park area and a fenced multi use games area. The remainder of the park, two thirds of an acre, is laid out on grass with swings, roundabout, slide and rocking horse. There is a graffiti wall and waste bins.

In January 2011 new climbing play equipment for toddlers and juniors, a bird nest swing and large see-saw were installed. In addition, there are now five picnic tables for parents and children to gather together and three boulders to encourage natural play. Trees have recently been planted to improve the natural environment, and bulbs have been planted for the enjoyment of local people in spring

In July 2018 a new adventure trail and shelter were installed.  The trail encourages balance and co-ordination. A new tree was also planted in memory of our co-founder Mary Manthorpe.  A donation was kindly received from the village christmas lights committee for this.  

 Click here to go to our FaceBook page

A Big Thank You

For the support from all the residents and visitors to Thornton le Dale to all of our events.   As you know, we have ongoing maintenance, insurance, grass cutting and safety costs, and with ever increasing prices we must continue to raise money for these important and ongoing commitments. Thank you for everything you are doing to support us!  

COVID 19 UPDATE

The committee met on Thursday 2nd July 2020 to discuss the re opening of the playground and to review the government guidance issued on 30th June 2020.

Following a risk assessment the committee agreed that the park will NOT re open on Saturday 4th July.  There are several actions to put into place before we feel the park will be safe to open.  This has not been an easy decision and we hope you understand that your safety and our communities safety is our main priority.

The committee will meet in 2 weeks time to review the guidance and ensure all measures are in place.

Please follow our facebook page Thornton Dale Manthorpe Park for regular updates.  

We are a dedicated group of volunteers who want to do this right.  Thank you for your patience and please respect our decision.  

Many Thanks

What you can do to help Manthorpe Park:

• Make a cash or cheque donation.
• Set up an annual standing order payment.
• Become a ‘Friend of Thornton-le-Dale Playing Field’.

Gift aid forms are available to enable us to claim an extra 25% on top of your donation (income tax payers only)

If you can help please contact us using the form below so we can send you the necessary information.

Thank you.

On behalf of the children of Thornton-le-Dale and the Management Committee.

Charity Number 523435

The Committee

The Committee meets once a month to discuss issues and opportunities for the park, including how to fundraise to pay for insurance, maintenance and improvements of the facilities. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 19.45 either at the Hill Institute or the Buck Inn. 

Our Committee Members:

Anna Robinson, Chairperson:  "I have been fortunate enough to grow up in Thornton Le Dale and spent most of my childhood playing in the park! I now have 2 young children who also love and benefit from this wonderful place.  I have been on the commitee now for the past 4 years and have taken over as chairperson in March 2017.  I find this a great honour and strive to keep the park a safe and secure environment for all our children to enjoy.  The park relies entirely on your donations, fundraising events and grants.   We are a committed group of volunteers who work hard to maintain this wonderful facility.  We appreciate your continued support."

Natalie Ellis, Vice Chairperson

Like many others I was lucky enough to have access to a local play park as a child growing up and I’m delighted my own children will have the same opportunity. I joined the committee to help ensure our community continues to offer a safe, fun space for our children to meet and play and spend time outdoors with their friends.  

Eleanor Waller, Secretary:  "As a child, I used to visit the park most weekends with my family on our day trips to Thornton Dale.  Many years later I am privileged to be living in the village and now use the park with my own young son who loves the variety that the park offers.  I joined the committee to ensure that this facility continues to provide a safe and fun environment for the young and old for years to come".

Sara Chaplin, Treasurer and Grants Officer

Also on our committee are. Grace Rogers,  Nancy Firth, Donna Firth, Claire Mullins, Rosie Stoddard, Cassie Plant, Amanda Wilkinson. 

Link to map of the park:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=54.235337,-0.724475&hl=en?=54.235186,-

Suggestions

Anyone interested in supporting Manthorpe Playing Field, either through donations, helping to raise funds, or by providing their input and ideas, please contact any of the Committee members via Facebook (Thornton le Dale Manthorpe Park) or face to face.

Files to download