Denton A Village in South Norfolk, England

New Composting Season

Posted 18th March 2010

The weekly collection of garden waste will resume on Sunday, 11th April, and will continue until the end of October.

Each household in the scheme will be provided with a supply of bags and an information sheet before collections begin. Users are requested to read the information sheet carefully; several problems were encountered last year.

Further information is available on the Recycling Page.

There is plenty of finished compost available now. If you would like some please contact: Liz Cargill 788862 or Anne Carden 788279.

In the Saddle Again!

Posted 18th March 2010

Following the great success of their sponsored bicycle ride ride last year, Jenny Crowhill and Liz Cargill are at it again.

They hope to raise a few pennies for the East Anglian Children's Hospice by cycling to visit each of the three hospices in the region during the weekend of May 15th/16th.

Various events are being organised by EACH in Thetford Forest but Jenny and Liz felt they would like to try to visit the hospices in Milton near Cambridge, Ipswich and Quidenham, a round trip of about 100 miles. They would love to complete the ride on the Saturday but, being realistic, may well have to finish the last 20 – 30 miles on the Sunday. We'll see!

Further details will be provided on the website in due course.

Advancing Ambitions

Posted 17 March 2010

The Norfolk Community Ambition Award scheme was the main topic at the Annual Parish Meeting held on March 16th.

Nearly 30 local residents attended the meeting at the Village Hall. Details of the scheme were described by Peter Hill. A single award of £50,000 was available but a set of detailed crieria had to be met. He circulated the following list of potential projects that had been put forward during the recent discusion on Dentontalk.

• Shop including resurrecting Weekly Market/Buying Local
• Community Car Share
• Community Tool Share
• Green Fuel Processing Plant
• Allotments (Communal allotments), Community Farming
• Broadband/ Computer Tech Share (Young and Old)
• Music Workshop
• Community Choir
• Creative Arts East - Films
• Cookery Courses
• Tennis
• Short Tennis
• Promote sports based on extended Village Hall

The meeting then considered how the various projects matched the scheme's criteria. It was recognised that most of them were just too small or limited to qualify. This did not mean they they should be dropped but might proceed by other routes. It was agreed that even the bigger proposals, like the provision of an all-weather tennis court, were unlikely to be successful in this competition. The meeting therefore decided that no bid should be made.

However there was considerable support for developing some of the smaller projects and two people offered to co-ordinate this work. Mike Goater, who is already pursuing the Short Tennis idea, will cover improving sports facilities and Adele Godsmark will pursue the cultural and IT themes. It was noted that these ideas might need to be linked to the planned extension of the Village Hall.

The meeting also received wide-ranging reports from the Chairman of the Parish Council, Liz Cargill, from the local County Councillor, Tony Tomkinson, and from our District Councillor, Murray Gray. They, and the other members of the Parish Council, were all thanked for their work on behalf of the parish over the last twelve months.

Meeting Details

Posted 14 March 2010

The Agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting, on Tuesday March 16th, is now available. It is hoped all parishoners interested in the Community Ambition Award scheme will attend.

Sleeping Beauties

Posted 24th February 2010

A review by our theatre correspondent – Oldstager.

The annual Denton panto is, for me, one of the year's highlights of entertainment. It invariably succeeds because, I think, it embraces the word "amateur" in its purest meaning. Latin experts may correct me, but I take the meaning of the word "amateur" to be "one who loves". Our village panto is always written, constructed, performed and supported by people who seem to "love" what they are doing. Long may it remain so, for we, the villagers would be the poorer without this home-grown treasure.

The traditional fairy–tale of The Sleeping Beauty is well enough known for me not to repeat it, but in Dentonia, the kingdom in which it was set, we were offered extra layers and depths of story that kept us all intrigued. Not one, but three beauties; flash-forwards and flash-backs in time; even a revelation at the end that one of the characters was a princely descendant. Maybe he should have logged on to the Ancestry site a bit earlier !!

It was good to see some of the dependable characteristics of the performers being integrated into the show to enrich our delight, but I wouldn't mind betting that some of the cast (the young ones in particular) have more to offer and to give, and I hope that some of them might want to build on this year's achievements in next year's panto. Learn the lines early, be comfortable about who you are, what your character is all about (indeed – what the scene is all about) and then you will be able not only to contribute to the work but to help build it.

A few words of praise. First of all, to you ALL, for having the will and the courage to stand up before us and to perform, to present to us an entertainment which lightens and enlightens our lives. It is an act of giving and we, the audience, applaud you for it and are thankful to receive it.

Next, to Gill who appears to have dreamed–up so much and to have fleshed–out the story; to all who created the colour behind the curtains – the sets and the costumes and the lights, which transported us to a new world, Dentonia behind the curtain of Denton. A special word of praise to, not one, but TWO musicians, Simon and Ken, who provided the bedrock of music for all the cast to build upon and sing so lustily.

In Repertory companies it used to be a nightly occurence for an audience to applaud the first entrance of their favourite actor within the regular company, and this, too, could happen in the West End with some stars, so it was with great pleasure that I noted on the Friday night (when I attended) that Terry received a similar accolade.

Mike Fitzgerald showed us a side to his character, which included at the curtain call a glimpse of long knickers (passion-killers I would have thought, Mike) and which proved highly entertaining, but be careful, Mike – it could be habit-forming and you might have to go into detox.

I must mention that the front of the programme stated that the production was dedicated to the memory of Roger Dove. A laudable sentiment in itself, but also highly laudable was the firm, assured and entertaining performance by Kathryn Dove as Clippy. Well done, Kathryn.

Well done, DVC.

The programme can be viewed on a DVC Page.

New Delivery Service

Posted 18th February 2010

A number of Denton residents are taking advantage of an improved delivery service.

The local three–times–a–week milk delivery service provided Dairy Crest has been enhanced to include a wide range of essential foodstuffs and other domestic items. Under the "milk&more" service customers can order via the net up till 9.00 pm and have them delivered with their milk the following day.

Further details are available via the Shopping Page.

A Great Loss

Updated 16th February 2010

It is with great sadness that we announced the death of Roger Dove.

Our deepest sympathy goes to Karen, Matthew, Kathryn and the rest of the family. He will be greatly missed by everyone in Denton.

Roger's funeral will be at St Mary's on Monday February 22nd – at 12 noon followed by refreshments at the Village Hall.

The family have asked that the ceremony be regarded as a celebration of Roger's life so please – no black ties or sombre clothing.

An Ambitious Meeting

Posted 10th February 2010

This year's Annual Parish Meeting, on Tuesday March 16th, will include a discussion on the proposals raised for a bid from Denton under the Norfolk "Community Ambition" award scheme.

The meeting's agenda will include all the normal business, reports from village organisations etc., but this year there will be an additional item. Under the scheme communities can obtain a grant of up to £50,000 for an appropriate project. This is a new competition which aims to reward "exceptional community spirit" in Norfolk as the judges look for an inspirational idea which brings people of all ages together and brings alive the aspirations of a community.

A number of ideas have come forward, some from Dentontalk, including: a community shop, a scheme to develop IT skills & access and some form of music workshop. These and other ideas will be discussed at the meeting.

NB The meeting was originally fixed for the 17th but it was then realised that the Gardening Club were, unusually, holding their monthly meeting on a Wednesday.

Housing Gets The Go–ahead

Posted 3rd February 2010

Everything went smoothly at this afternoon's meeting of South Norfolk's Planning Committee. The recommendation to approve Denton's Affordable Housing scheme went through unopposed. Parish councillors, Liz Cargill and Peter Hill, attended the meeting to support the application as did our district councillor Murray Gray.

The only extra condition on the application is the requirement for an official 30 MPH speed limit past the site but, as the applicants, Saffron, have agreed to pay for it, this should not cause any problems. There will now be discussions and consultation on the extent of the restricted area.

As has been stressed before, anybody interested in the new accommodation (2 – one bedroom flats, 3 – two bedroom houses, 1 – three bedroom house) must be on the Council's Housing Register for at least six months. Further information on how to apply is also in our AH page. Or you can write to South Norfolk Council, Long Stratton, Norwich NR15 2XE or ring 01508 533633.

Quiz Night Success

Posted 2nd February 2010

A good time was had by all at the annual Village Quiz Night at the Village Hall last Saturday.

Eleven teams battled it out for the "Brain of Denton" Trophy and the contest proved to be very close. In the end the "Doc and the Maidens" team from Middle Road triumphed by just a single point from "Dentingham" with "Slippery Slope" taking the booby prize. As usual the food was excellent and everybody had a great time.

Two Birds – One Stone

Posted 28th January 2010

Fingers crossed, but it looks as though two local birds are going to be killed with just one stone at an important meeting in Long Stratton next week.

The main Planning Committee of South Norfolk Council is due to meet next Wednesday, 3rd February, and on the agenda is Application No. 2009/1711 - Denton's affordable housing scheme. Details on the Council's Website. This was submitted, by Saffron Housing, two months ago but has been held up by an objection from County Highways. They were concerned about the speed of traffic passing the site on Norwich Road.

To get round this objection Saffron have now agreed to meet the costs of a 30 MPH speed limit and, as a result, the application is recommended for approval.

So, all being well, Denton will be getting both six new affordable homes AND a speed limit at the same time.

Anybody interested in the new accommodation must be on the Council's Housing Register. Further information is on our Features page.

Towards a Safer Village

Posted 13th January 2010

The Parish Council are organising a village survey to establish local safety concerns.

Last night's PC meeting was told of progress with the survey which is being conducted following advice from the local Safer Neighbourhood Panel. It seeks to find out what issues are worrying Denton residents.

Most of the village has now been covered, on a house-to-house basis, and the rest will be contacted soon. The results will be passed to the police for analysis with a report back to the PC. It could produce useful evidence for seeking changes including, hopefully, support for a speed limit.

Sad News

Updated 2nd January 2010

We are sad to announce that Stephen Easton died on 31st December.

Stephen lived with his wife Fiona at Twin Cottage in Middle Road for many years and was a very active member of the community, particularly the Church, the Gardening Club and DVC. After a period living in Hoxne he recently moved into the Trees Nursing Home in Harleston.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Fiona (who can be contacted on 01379 855016) and their family.

The funeral service will be held at St Mary's in Denton on Friday 15th January at 11.30 am followed by refreshments at the Village Hall. Family flowers only please but donations to Christian Aid in Stephen's memory can be made via Rackhams of 11 Exchange Street, Harleston, Norfolk, IP20 9AB.