Winter Windows 2021

South Square presented the 3rd edition of Thornton Winter Windows, launched in November 2021. 

The events saw 50 individuals and businesses take part in the annual winter window trail, creating light based window displays for all of the village to enjoy. The event was launched as part of Thornton Winter Festival on Sunday 28th November which featured the Christmas Light Switch on and a performance from Thornton Community Choir at Sapgate Gardens. 

South Square Centre used this opportunity to launch a new artwork which was created for the garden. South Square commissioned artist Ellie Mone to create a 6ft glass viaduct for the garden. The artwork was created following workshops with the public during Summer. The artwork features 20 jewel coloured arches in a rainbow pattern. 

Thornton’s connection to stained glass stretches far back in history. Celebrated Arts and Craft activist and designer William Morris created the East facing stained glass windows at St James Church on Thornton Road. The windows were restored in 2015 by Barley Studios at a cost of £30,000 with support from English Heritage, The William and Jane Morris Fund among others. 

At South Square Centre, the artwork nods to our own heritage. John Harold Jenning and sons, plumbers and glaziers ran their business from the centre from 1911. The workshop was in the lower ground part of the building. They made and restored leaded lights for the community. Members of the Jennings family lived at South Square until the early 1980’s.