Thorne’s of Leeds: From Mustard to Toffees
In the early 1980s Andrew Littlewood bought in Chesterfield an old tin and this led to him researching the story of Thorne’s toffee. Quaker Henry Thorne started business as a mustard miller and began experimenting with cocoa production, opening a works on Lady Lane, in Leeds. Contemporary with confectionery royalty Cadbury and Rowntree, Henry started to market his own cocoa and his business grew, but poor fortune meant Thorne’s never became the national name achieved by their competitors. Thorne’s is a story of business personalities rather than family achievement. Who were these people and why was that Thorne’s tin in Chesterfield? And what of the products – mustard, chicory, cocoa, drinking and eating chocolate, sweets and toffee? Andrew tells the story of his research and the fascinating history he has discovered of Henry Thorne and Company.
A Leeds 400 event from the Thoresby Society
More Events
Slavery, Empire, and Leeds
4th November 2026 - 4th November 2026
This talk is based on a guided walking tour given by Danny Friar in September for Heritage Open Days 2026. This virtual talk explores the…
Factories and Fevers: Child health in the 19th century
11th November 2026 - 11th November 2026
Death and disease were common in the 19th century in industrial Leeds due to many factors: overcrowding, poor conditions in the factories and mills and…
The changing face of Leeds Markets – From Briggate to Kirkgate
25th November 2026 - 25th November 2026
Ever wondered why Leeds received its first Royal Charter in 1626? Join us as Alex Pearson of the West Yorkshire Archive Service explores the importance…
York and Leeds: how are these two Yorkshire urban centres linked and what accounts for the differences in the way they have evolved over the centuries?
19th November 2026 - 19th November 2026
Geography is at the root of answering these questions about differential urban development. Rachael Unsworth’s presentation will draw out the main lines of argument and…
The Bilbroughs of Beech Grove Terrace: A middle class Victorian family, household and dwelling place
17th December 2026 - 17th December 2026
Author Catherine Wright discusses the local, family and social history of middle-class Victorian Leeds through the day-to-day lives of the Bilbrough family and household. A…
The Thoresby Society Members Evening
21st January 2027 - 21st January 2027
Haunted Hero: The World of W. F. Harvey, presented by Ross Horsley Leeds-born author William Fryer Harvey lived through events more terrifying than any of…
Explore The Neighbourhood
TALES OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND: THE FAE FOLK
Tales of Britain & Ireland present Tales of the Fae Folk: Sex, Violence and the Hollow Hills Join storyteller Graeme Cooke (Tales of Britain and…
Learn MoreThe Templars of Nuesum
Nowadays we associate the Knights Templar with crusades, conspiracies, and Dan Brown. But eight hundred years ago, just downstream from Leeds, they were running a…
Learn MoreGA-20
Since 2018, GA-20 has been at the forefront of a traditional Blues revival. The dynamic throwback trio have long been disciples of the place where…
Learn MoreToria Wooff
Following her acclaimed self-titled debut album, championed by the likes of Uncut, Clash, Shindig, Record Collector, BBC Radio 6 and Radio X, Toria Wooff (Tor-ee-a…
Learn MoreLeeds Philharmonic Chorus Christmas Concert
Step into the spirit of the season with an enchanting evening of music, tradition, and joy. Experience the soaring harmonies of the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus…
Learn MoreBoo & Bend, Stories and Yoga
Boo and Bend!! A spooky Halloween special with stories, yoga, movement, games and sensory fun for ages 2-8 (older and younger siblings welcome)! Bring your…
Learn MoreVeeno
We are authentic Italian wine bars boasting quality wines and tempting Italian food. Veeno was born in 2013 with two friends who shared a love…
Learn MoreThe Original Oak
You’ll always find a warm welcome at The Original Oak in Leeds. It’s a place where you can enjoy the day whether you fancy a…
Learn MoreSmokestack
A sexy bar with a bluesy feel. Smokestack is a honeypot for those with eclectic music tastes and a penchant for sophisticated drinking. Smokestack is…
Learn MoreNeighbourhood Leeds
Grit meets glam with our globally inspired menu and trendsetting cocktails at Neighbourhood Leeds. One of the best bars in Leeds, located in the heart…
Learn MoreThe Woods
Set over three floors, The Woods offers a wide range of craft beers and pizza. The Woods is located on Stainbeck Corner in the heart…
Learn MoreTrinity Kitchen
The best street food in Leeds. With a concept that is completely unique, Trinity Kitchen rotates six new street food vans every eight weeks and…
Learn MoreHunslet Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreSwarthmore Education Centre
Swarthmore is a centre for lifelong learning, community projects and family learning sessions as well as the courses and activities. Their main aim is to…
Learn MoreArmley Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreKippax Community Hub & Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreHolt Park Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreUnity Through Music Studio
Unity Through Music Studio is a Professional Recording Studio Supporting Teenager Cancer Awareness & The Donovan S Webster Trust fund in Leeds.
Learn MoreAll Hallows Church
All Hallows is an inclusive Christian community in inner-city Leeds exploring the meaning of faith in the 21st Century. Whoever you are, you will be…
Learn MoreAire Park
A 24-acre vision brought together by world class designers, planners and architects; Aire Park unlocks the potential of Leeds South Bank for a stronger future…
Learn MoreGuiseley Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreCanal Connections
Canal Connections is a social enterprise company working along the waterways of Leeds and Bradford, connecting individuals, communities and organisations to the canal environment. Boats…
Learn MoreCompton Centre Community Hub and Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreThe Bradbury Building
The Bradbury Building is the office of Age UK and is a community hub and meetings space. “hello”
Learn More