Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

The Village Hall

A Brief History

The Hall on Norwich Road – Postcode IP20 0BD – was originally constructed in 1924 and although extended and refurbished at various times (the Bar was added in 1993 and the Games Room in 2004) it has retained much of its original character and is well used by residents of the village.

A recent further phase of improvement has provided another extension and replaced the old community bus garage at the south end of the hall. It provides another room for meetings and greatly improved facilities behind the stage. It is fully equipped for a variety of uses.
The latest improvements have built new toilet accommodation and extended the bar area.

How it is run?

The hall is a registered charity (No. 1031442) for the benefit of the residents of Denton. There is a Management Committee, made up of volunteers, which is responsible for running the building and facilitating the activities that take place within it.
The Committee is made up of members elected at the Hall's Annual General Meeting and members nominated by the organisations that use the hall.
The AGM usually takes place in November each year. All residents of the village aged 18 years of age and upwards are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
The Management Committee usually meets quarterly.

Officers 2019/20

• Chair - Terry Hanner
• Vice Chair – Ian Cooper
• Treasurer – David Godsmark
• Bookings Secretary – Kath Hanner Tel: 01986 788414
• Minutes Secretary - Doris Lambert

Committee 2019/20

Zoe Brown, Anne Carden, Roger Gibson, Peter Grant, Sarah Hanner, Adrian Hipwell, Linda Jenkins, Lisa Mayhew, Michelle Nial, Kim Poulton, Jean Whipps, Annie Whiteman, Paul Wilby, Hannah Witchell.

The 2019 AGM was held on Monday 4th November.
The 2020 AGM has been postponed.
The most recent full meeting of the committee was held on 20th October.

Events

The Committee organise a series of social events during the year which are open to all village residents. These normally include:

• A Beetle Drive
• A Whist Drive
• A Quiz Night
• A Summer Ball or Village Festival
• The Village Supper in November

Who Use The Hall?

It is available for private hire to residents of the village either on an hourly or daily basis and is used by the following village organisations and groups, all of who welcome new members:

• Bowls and Social Club - this is the group that runs the hall's Licensed Bar. This bar regularly opens for members every Friday evening from 7.30pm onwards with a meal normally provided on the Last Friday of the month. The membership fee is £1 per year.
  The bar is staffed by volunteers on a rota basis. The current 2020 Bar Rota appears on a separate page but, unfortunately, is suspended.
  CURRENT SITUATION
  With the Coronavirus emergency, normal Friday evening bar opening has been supended.
  However, a very successful trial "outside-only" opening took place Friday 21st August, followed by another, with an "inside" option, on Friday September 4th.
  A third, again with suitable social-distancing, is taking place on Friday 18th September.
  A fourth, is taking place on Friday 23rd October, 7pm to 9.30pm.
  Please observe the following:
  Everyone is welcome but you must:
  • Wear a mask to enter the hall and keep it on until you are seated at a table
  • Provide contact details to the organisers.
  • Wear a mask when standing up for any reason – to go to the loo for example.
  • Sit at tables in groups of no more than six – (including children who must be closely supervised.)
  • Practise social distancing – even when sitting at tables – at least 1 metre plus from anyone who is not a member of your household
  • Vacate the premises by 10pm which means opening hours must be strictly adhered to.
  The organisers will:
  • Provide table service and ensure all bar staff will wear masks
  • Set up a tab system to note all items ordered and ask for payment only one when you leave to minimise the risk of handling cash. (Payment by cheque is also fine.)
  • Implement a one way system through the hall to minimise risk and help with social distancing. Entry will be through the Pool Room and exit will be through the main hall door. Men will use the men’s toilet near the bar and women the toilet in the new extension by the kitchen
  • Keep contact details for those present for 21 days.
  • Provide Hand Sanitiser on entry and exit.
  As with all events you must not come if you have any symptoms of Coronavirus, have tested positive or been told to self-isolate by the Track and Trace system.
  No-one from an area with higher restrictions than Norfolk (tier 2 and above) can socialise indoors with other households which includes the village hall.
  Despite all this we know that people value the opportunity for a bit of social contact and we hope to see some of you there on Friday.
  Other use of the Hall is under consideration.

• Parish Council - second Tuesday of the month.
• Women's Institute - first Tuesday of the month.
• Gardening Club - third Tuesday of the month.
• Art Group - normally meets on Wednesday afternoons.
• Rising Stars and Denton Variety Club - put on at least one excellent production every year.
• Sequence Dancing Group - meet on the first and third Friday of the month.

Of course almost every function or event that takes place in the village, from charity auction to sixtieth birthday party to the Summer Ball, takes place in the hall.
The Hall and especially the Bar make a vital contribution to the realisation of Denton's, unofficial, motto - "Ullus Excusatio Pro Compotatio".

Defibrillator

Denton's Defibrillator unit, previously installed on the wall in the lobby/entrance of the Village Hall, is now located in a locked cabinet, outside, next to the front door.

Key-ring fobs bearing the access code, are being distributed to residents but the code can also be obtained from the Ambulance Service at any time by dialling 999.

The unit lifts out of the wall housing. The unit is currently in a carry sleeve so there are two short straps on either side of the unit which should be unfastened (press studs) and the outer case opened where specified.
Inside the carry case lid there is a black bag which contains, if required, scissors (for cutting clothes) razor (for shaving hairy chests) gloves and CPR mask. The main unit is then opened by depressing the white catch at the front.
The unit then goes into automatic mode and talks you through the procedure, the same instructions appear as text on the screen.

A video about the unit which demonstrates how it is used, and (despite its US origins!) is well worth watching, is available on Youtube.

Christmas Cards

In recent years a large board has been erected in the Hall in December for residents to put up their Christmas card to friends and neighbours in the village. The scheme removes the need to send individual cards locally, with an appropriate donation to charity instead. So far our chosen charity has always been the Bwindi Orphanage in Uganda.

Residents can put up their own cards on the board when the Hall is open, or just leave it in the DVH post box (to the left of the front door). Cheques (made payable to Denton Village Hall) can also be left in the post box but cash should not be left there. Alternatively, cash donations can be handed to any other member of the DVH committee or placed in a donation box behind the Bar.

Monthly Meals

Meals for residents are organised in the Hall, normally on two occasions in each month.

Tuesday Lunches

Lunches are provided by the Lunch Club on the second Tuesday of each month.
12.00 for 12.30, £3 per head. Further details from Doris Lambert - 788216.

Last Fridays

A evening meal is provided on the last Friday of each month.
Further details.

Bookings

If you would like more information about what activities currently take place at the hall or need details of hire charges etc. or wish to enquire about bookings, contact Kath Hanner–: 01986 788414.
A chart showing all current bookings is available as a Google Calendar.

Safeguarding Policy

The Management Committee have published a Policy Statement for Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults.

Further details are provided on a separate page.

The Village Noticeboard

Opposite the Village Hall, the Noticeboard still provides a valuable source of information for Denton residents.

It is constructed with three panels. The central panel, which is glazed and locked, is reserved for official notices and is managed by the Parish Council but the two open side panels are available for anyone to publicise local events etc. (You are advised to bring your own drawing-pins.) As usual the only requirement is to ensure that posters etc. are removed once the event is over!

The Marquees

The Management Committee have purchased a number of small marquees for use at local functions. These are available for hire by village residents. This facility relies on a team of volunteers who erect and take down the marquees.

Further details are provided on a separate page.

The Games Room Extension, patio and garden outside, completed in 2004.