these meetings are displayed on the Parish website and on the village notice board on The Crescent. There are three schools in Thornton: St William Of York RC Primary School, Holy Family Catholic High School and Thornton College, which is an annexe of Hugh Baird College. In 2003, Cherie Blair QC, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, officially came to Thornton to open Holy Family's new Sixth Form building. There are two churches in Thornton: The King's Church, Drummond Road and St William Of York RC Church, St William Road. St Frideswydes C of E Church, formerly on Water Street, was demolished in 2012 and merged with All Saints C of E Church at the north end of Great Crosby. Thornton also has two historical public houses dating back to the early 19th century called the Nags Head, which is situated opposite Water Street, and the Grapes Hotel. Thornton has set of stocks located at the junction of Green Lane & Water Street. These, along with the local sundial, can be dated back to the late 18th century and are Grade II listed monuments. There is another Grade II listed monument located in Back Lane called Brooms Cross. This is a wayside cross which lies on what was the old bridleway that ran from Hightown / Ince Blundell to Sefton Parish Church, St. Helens. It was here that funeral processions would come to rest and have refreshments before continuing to the church. Unfortunately this monument, which was restored to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee Year of 1977, has become the target of vandals. Freedom of the Parish The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Parish of Thornton. Individuals The Reverend Canon Katherine "Kath" Rogers: 18 June 2021. See also Listed buildings in Thornton, Merseyside References External links A satellite view of Thornton from Google Maps Liverpool Street Gallery - Liverpool 23 Towns and villages in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton Civil parishes in Merseyside