Or select a month to view from this year.
Posted
The Friday before Christmas, the 23rd December, saw another Denton regular, a Nativity Play.
Written and directed as usual by Gill Hipwell and performed in the Chapel by the Rising Stars, it was entitled "Amazing" and it was given the same rating by all who saw it. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Audience participation was of course encouraged, as can be seen in the selection of photographs. taken by Mark Richards, that appear below.
Posted
In Denton the last Monday before Christmas is the traditional date for Carol Singing and this year was no exception.
Two groups toured the village and received a great reception at every door as shown in this picture from Mark Richards.
As usual. the funds raised, together with donations to the Christmas Card display at the Village Hall, will go to the Bwindi Centre in Uganda.
Posted
For the second year running the Gardening Club's entry in the Decorated Christmas Tree competition held at Alburgh Church has taken first place.
This year the Art Group also entered an excellent tree which attracted a lot of support. Both entries appear below.
Denton Garden Club.
Denton Art Group.
Posted
The Christmas season got off to a great start at the annual Christmas Market held at the Village Hall on December 2nd.
Over the evening there was a good attendance and a substantial sum was raised for Church Funds. The raffle was very popular but, as usual, the star of the show was a visit by Santa Claus himself.
Posted
Denton is gradually getting back to normal after the restrictions of COVID. Nowhere was this more evident that at Saturday's Annual Village Supper, the first to be held for two years.
Nearly 100 residents booked their places, enjoyed an excellent four-course meal - prepared by the usual wonderful team, and, even better, enjoyed a great social occasion. Needless to say, the bar did a roaring trade.
All the traditions were observed with Grace, delivered by Chris Whipps, and the Toast, to "The Spirit of Denton", proposed by the Master of Ceremonies, Terry Hanner.
Everyone agreed - it was great to be back.
Ready to go.
The MC.
The Grace.
We're off.
Posted
After a gap of four years the Denton Art Group were delighted to be able to stage an Exhibition of their work at the Village Hall on Saturday, 12th November.
More than 130 paintings and drawings were on display in a variety of mediums. Some were available for sale. A regular flow of visitors enjoyed the spectacle.
More information and a photograph of the Exhibition can be seen on the Art Group Page.
Posted
Bonfire night came a day early in Denton this year and there was no actual bonfire. However, that did not prevent everyone having a very enjoyable evening.
On Friday 4th November, the Village Hall Bar was open, as usual, but it was supplemented, indoors, by some excellent hot-dogs and, outdoors, by some glowing braziers and a great fireworks display. As per normal for such events in Denton, attendees were encouraged to bring one firework each and a skilled team let them off across the road from the Hall.
Pictures from Denton's "other" photographer - Robin Brown.
Posted
As usual, there was limited "Trick & Treat" activity on Halloween in Denton this year.
However, one caller did manage a particularly "interesting" appearance - well worth recording.
Posted
On Saturday October 22nd the marriage took place at St Mary's Church of Abigail Megan Symons, daughter of Jon and Lorraine Symons of Upland Terrace. She married Benjamin Bremner.
Suitable transport to the church was provided.
Posted
Denton Variety Club is back in business, at last.
Ever since the start of the COVID Emergency, the DVC, like many other village groups, has found its activities severely restricted. They managed, just in time, to put on "Jack and the Beanstalk" in February 2020, but since then their only dramatic contribution has been a short revue produced as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.
However, the good news is that preparations are under way for a new pantomime next February. The name has yet to be decided but the first read-through has been booked for November 30th at DVH.
It is hoped that all the usual suspects will be taking part, but new blood is always welcome.
How about you?
Posted
Back again after the problems of Covid, this year's Quiz Night supporting Christian Aid was a great success.
The eventual winners were "The Afterthoughts" (rather like this article?) comprising - Chris, Helen, Ken, Kim, Phil, Roger, and Rosemary. As usual, an excellent meal was provided. Over £400 was raised for the Charity.
Posted
The recent tractor run through the village, starting from the Playing Field, attracted a lot of interest, not least from those that enjoyed a ride.
18 tractors took part and £200 was raised for the Eastern Air Ambulance.
Posted
In the past, several Denton residents have achieved fame for their literary talents (Mandolins did you say?), and we are delighted to announce the arrival of another.
Sandra Gordon, of Darrow Green Road, has just published a children's book - "Teddy – Bishopstone Station’s Bear", based on the true story of a missing bear and his boy. It’s all about a teddy bear who has been locked away in a parcel office at a railway station for a number of years and who dreams of being reunited with his owner. All profits from the book are to be donated to Cancer Research and the Friends of Bishopstone Station.
Full details can be found Here
UPDATE
Media Recognition
Now the publication of the book has been recognised with coverage, and favourable reviews, in local newspapers. First in the Beccles and Bungay Journal and then, on Friday 4th November, in the EDP.
Copies will be available from Amazon or from Sandra herself. She will be delighted to sign them if requested.
Posted
Some people were surprised last weekend by the appearance of lots of tents on the Village Playing field. They were soon re-assured to find it was the well-organised Annual Camp of the local Army Cadets.
Chris Ashton, as well as keeping our cars on the road, does noble service in the Cadet Force. He is the Commanding Officer of the local Detachment. He was thus on-hand to make sure the Camp ran smoothly. And it did.
Posted
The news of Her Majesty the Queen’s death on 8th September came as a great shock for many people. She had been seen just two days earlier appointing Liz Truss as our new Prime Minister.
Denton residents, like the rest of the country, treated the period of mourning that followed with profound respect. Her long and distinguished service was recognised at various gatherings including services in the Church and the Chapel.
Everyone then followed the day-long pageantry of her funeral, so brilliantly covered on television, noting the great contribution from the many members of her family and sympathising with them all.
Posted
After a two-year gap, the Gardening Club's Open Show returned, with a bang, on Saturday.
Despite fears of the potential impact on entries of a very dry summer, the Show went amazingly well. 61 Competitors took part, with 414 Entries across the 53 Classes, and in the afternoon there were well over 100 spectators.
Details of the results and pictures of the Show can be seen on the Show History Page.
Posted
Denton's "Grand Table Top & Garage Sale" on Bank Holiday Monday turned out to be a great success.
No less than 16 "Tables" of various dimensions were on display, some at the Village Hall, most at locations around the village. Visitors needed a map, picked up from the Hall, to find them all. The range of items on sale was just amazing.
Some people were raising funds for their own favourite charity but the overall objective was to raise money for the Church in Denton.
Here are some pictures of the event. Both exhibitors and their customers had a great time.
Posted
After a two-year break, due to Covid, the Denton Boule Championships returned on Saturday. However, a shock result saw the trophy going to a team from Alburgh!
Held as usual at the Godsmark's Bouledrome on Darrow Green Road, the evening attracted a large attendance by members of the Black Hand Cyder Club and their guests. The barbecues were kept busy, suitable quantities of cyder and other beverages were consumed, and a great time was had by all.
Eighteen teams of three took part on a knock-out basis. Those beaten in the first round were demoted to the Plate Competition, so everybody got at least two games.
After some close contests, the winners of the Championship were declared to be “The Alburghers”, Richard Gedge, Deborah and Andrew Stewart, who beat “Puldick”, James Godsmark, Andy and Amy Hipwell, in the final.
The Plate competition saw ”The Harvesters”, Janet and Malcolm Skinner and Chris Whipps, defeat “RJC”, Roger Gibson, Jules and Cindy Greenway, in the final match.
Posted
Congratulations and thanks must go to all those involved in putting on this year's great "Beer & Gin Festival" held at the Village Hall on Saturday. Members of the VH Management Committee deserve a special mention.
No official records were kept, but it is reported than more than 300 people attended in brilliant weather. The choice of both beers and gins was excellent though, of course, other beverages were available. The food options were also outstanding and the musical entertainment just wonderful.
Credit for the event's new, unofficial, title goes to Ken Ashton. Not quite as big as the Somerset version perhaps, but just as enjoyable.
Posted
The vacancy on Denton Parish Council, caused by the resignation of Steve Barrett, was filled at last night's PC meeting.
Matt Jones, from Trunch Hill, was co-opted to the Council.
Posted
This year's Church Fete, held at the Village Hall on July 9th, was a great success. Held in gorgeous sunshine, it featured something for everyone.
Lots of interesting stalls including a wonderful tombola, a raffle with interesting prizes and excellent food. Perhaps best of all there was an amazing range of games for people to demonstrate their skills - or perhaps their lack of them?
The pictures below, courtesy of Mark Richards, show just some of them. Oh, and by the way, the event raised over £1,100 for the Church in Denton.
Posted
As reported recently in the EDP and in the July edition of the Parish News, Alburgh with Denton Church of England Primary School has joined the St Benet's Multi Academy Trust (MAT), part of the Diocese of Norwich.
The primary school becomes the ninth school to join the St Benet's MAT, which also has schools in Dickleburgh, Diss, Garboldisham, Long Stratton, Newton Flotman, Tacolneston and Morley.
Richard Cranmer, chief executive of the Trust said: “It is becoming very clear that every school, but particularly small rural schools, gain enormously from close working relationships with colleagues in other schools.
"This enables a collaborative approach to curriculum design and delivery and ultimately provides the very best learning experiences for the children."
Headteacher Hayley Sonnex told the EDP "Back in 2020 our governors made the decision to join because they could see that small schools such as ours were becoming more isolated and wanted to ensure the school was sustainable going forward."
Posted
What a great weekend we had! It could have been warmer but all the Jubilee events went well, the food and drink was excellent and a good time was had by all.
From the Beacon lighting on the Thursday to the Village Photograph on the Sunday, everything ran smoothly. It was wonderful to see so many villagers involved. A full photographic record of the events is planned but, for the moment, this picture of Hilda Thomas cutting the Jubilee Cake, will suffice.
Congratulations and thanks must go to the many people who contributed so much. As usual in Denton lots of residents were happy to contribute in various ways but the key people, the organisers, did an outstanding job.
UPDATE
The planned detailed Record of the four days is now in place in the
Features Section of the Website.
Posted
It all starts tomorrow, with the first events in the much anticipated celebrations of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee getting under way.
In London there will be the great spectacle of Trooping the Colour; the first time this traditional celebration of Her Majesty's Official Birthday has been held for three years. Here in Denton residents will be putting the finishing touches to their bunting displays etc before gathering in the evening at the Village Hall for the start of four days of local celebrations. The bar will be open, food will be served and at 9.45 our contribution to the network of beacons across the country will be lit.
More events will follow over the next three days. Full details can be seen on a Special Page on the Website.
Let's hope the weather stays fine and a great time is had by all.
Posted
Last night more than 60 members of the Black Hand Cyder Society were celebrating a further step on our way back to normality. For the first time for over two years the Denton Bouledrome was available for a Club gathering.
Courtesy of the Godsmark family, the floodlit boule court was the scene of some keenly contested and much-enjoyed games. The barbecues were kept busy as members prepared their suppers and, of course, a variety of excellent BHCS cyders were consumed. However, the most important part of the evening was surely the opportunity it provided for old friends to meet and mardle.
Posted
The guest speaker at this year's Annual Parish Meeting, held on May 10th, was Rev Bruno Boldrini, the Minister of Denton Chapel.
He gave a fascinating talk on his life-history, covering his early years in Italy in a family with German and Spanish as well as Italian links and his later career. The latter included service in the Italian army and qualification as an accountant before becoming entering the church.
Most of the rest of the meeting was taken up with reports from a variety of village organisations from the Art Group to the WI. The last included the information that Denton WI was celebrating its Centenary. The best news from all of them was their continuing re-emergence from Covid restrictions.
Posted
A great Church and Chapel Combo are due to be in charge of the Village Hall Bar this coming Friday.
The two Revs, Chris Hutton and Bruno Boldrini, are the bar staff for the night but we are assured there will be no discounts for Christians. In spite of this, the attendance of the Bella Ciao Pizza Wagon in the car-park, from 6pm to 9pm, should ensure a good attendance. The bar opens at 7pm as usual.
Posted
Jennie Crohill's Annual Plant Sale, held at Trunch Hill on Saturday, was a great success yet again.
In fact it beat last year's record in raising a total of just over £650.
This will be split between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Ukraine Emergency Appeal. Thanks must go to Jennie and all those who contributed.
Posted
May's monthly meeting of Denton WI was based on a Jubilee Pudding Competition.
Members were asked to bring a suitable celebration pudding and more than twenty did so. They were then asked to taste them all, a challenge in itself, and vote for the best one.
All of the entries received high praise but the winner was Jennifer Wharton's iced gateau decorated with a beautiful fruit union jack.
Comments from Her Majesty are awaited.
Posted
At this time of year keen followers of countryside tradition will be checking local trees for indications of our summer weather prospects.
The key guide is of course the competition between Oak and Ash trees to be first to produce their leaves. "Ash before Oak, we are in for a Soak; Oak before Ash, prepare for a Splash".
A walk round Denton yesterday clearly indicated the latter, so, fingers crossed, we can look forward to a dry summer.
Posted
Members of the Black Hand Cyder Society enjoyed a great trip to the Ampersand Brewery on Thursday evening.
More than thirty attended, for a guided tour of the brewery facilities, accompanied by suitable sampling of it's products. Our excellent guide was of course, Adrian Hipwell who’s son Andy and his wife Amy run the Ampersand Brewery. Adrian has been closely involved with the setting up and running of the Brewery since its inception in 2016. This made him the perfect guide for the evening and the Hipwell family should be rightly proud of what they have achieved.
The tour covered the brewing process from filtering the water, to mashing the barley, adding the hops and fermentation. It also included casking, kegging and canning. The final leg, in the brewery cold store, lead, naturally, to a return to the bar.
On Thursday evenings a burger van is in attendance outside so members could enjoy some food to go with their ale. It rounded off a most impressive visit.
Posted
There was a good turn-out for this morning's first "Community Coffee Morning" in the Vestry of the Chapel.
More than twenty people turned up for tea, coffee, cake and a good chat. No post-office services of course, but everybody enjoyed the good company.
Thanks must go to the organisers, Kathryn Luton and Jean Whipps.
Another session is booked for next Thursday morning, April 7th, and it is hoped that it will become a weekly event.
Posted
The Covid Emergency meant that the 2020 and 2021 Annual Parish Meetings could not take place.
Better news for 2022. The Parish Council have announced that this year's Parish Meeting will be held at the Village Hall on Tuesday May 10th at 7 pm. Further details of the agenda etc. will appear in due course.
Posted
The large turn-out at the Village Hall yesterday morning clearly demonstrated Denton residents' concerns about the situation in Ukraine and their desire to offer support to those suffering under the Russian invasion.
The proposal to hold a fund-raising Coffee Morning was only announced on Wednesday afternoon, but people quickly rallied round to stock a massive book sale, provide a wonderful range of cakes and donate some excellent raffle prizes.
The result was a very convivial gathering but, more important, it raised no less than £1,180 to go to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Well done the organisers and everybody who contributed.
UPDATE - Total raised now up to £1,500.
Posted
Following good advance publicity, people came from far and wide to visit the Wildlife Photography Exhibition held in the Village Hall last Saturday.
As previously reported, it featured the work of two local photographers, our own Robin Brown (aged 9 and ½) and Nick Jermy (aged 37 and ¾) from Woodton. Between them they covered a wide array of fauna and flora with some really impressive pictures, much enjoyed by all.
Some excellent cakes were served with tea and coffee, and a substantial sum was raised for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Posted
It is not often that Denton makes the front page of the EDP, but on February 22nd it achieved that distinction. However, it was for all the wrong reasons.
Three winter storms had hit Norfolk in four days, but it was the third, codename "Franklin", that did a lot of damage in Denton. Many properties in the village had trees blown down and minor structural damage. The unfortunate residents of Upland Terrace, on Norwich Road, were not so lucky.
On Sunday evening, the 20th, what many observers called a Tornado, hit the area. As the EDP reported, its centre seemed concentrated on a small area but a number of properties suffered major damage to their roofs etc. Not surprisingly, the occupants, were terrified by the noise as the storm hit.
Needless to say, offers of help poured in from neighbours and further afield. Everyone feels the greatest sympathy for those affected.
Posted
Pizzas are returning to Denton.
The former, and much missed, Pomodoro Pizza service has changed its name, but not its wares, to "Bella Ciao" and will shortly resume their visits to the Village Hall Car Park.
These will commence on Friday 11th March when they will be open from 6 pm till 9 pm. You can either take you pizze home for consumption or eat them in the Hall once the bar opens from 7 pm.
Posted
Where were you 22 years ago?
As might have been expected, Denton celebrated the Millennium in 2000 in some style.
The various events have been recorded on the Village Website for some time, but now a significant omission has been sorted out.
Do you have a copy of the great group photograph, taken on the 1st July that year, hanging on your wall?
Well, thanks to Ken Ashton, who took the photograph, this has now been sorted out. Can you find yourself on The Millennium Page?
Posted
BBC Radio 6 Music currently features a show hosted by Tom Ravenscroft (son of the late John Peel, the famous DJ, who lived for many years with his family near Stowmarket in Suffolk).
This reminded Adele Godsmark of another link between Denton, Norfolk, and Denton, Texas.
It is based on an item which featured in 2014 on the BBC Radio 4 documentary programme “Home Truths”. It concerned John, who himself compered the programme before his death in 2004.
John lived for a while in the Texas Denton and then resided near Stowmarket in his later years.
Adele came across this story on the BBC website –
HOME TRUTHS
BBC Radio One - 3rd October 2014
Nice Hat
The headgear? John Peel has the details...
"On Wednesday night over on Radio 1 we featured a band from Denton, Texas, called Lift To Experience."
"In tribute to their home-town, in which I had, years ago, attempted to sell insurance, our son Thomas and I travelled to Denton, Norfolk, where Tom took photos of me wearing my cowboy hat in front of Denton Village Hall to present to the band.
They were quite moved that we’d gone to such pointless lengths. There’s another Denton just off the Al in Cambridgeshire and we’re planning a visit there soon..."
Thank you, John. These things matter.
Posted
An Exhibition of Wildlife Photography is to be held at the Village Hall on Saturday, 19th February, 11 am to 3 pm.
The Exhibition will feature the work of two local photographers, our own Robin Brown (aged 9 and ½) and Nick Jermy (aged 37 and ¾) from Woodton.
Refreshments will be served and all proceeds will go to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
However, this could be your chance. If you have a wildlife photo you have taken yourself which you would like to display, please send an email to Zoe Brown - zoemancroftbrown@icloud.com.
The more the merrier!
UPDATE
A report of the Exhibition is featured on Page 3 of Thursday, 27th January's EDP.
Posted
Is there something special about living on Darrow Green Road?
Recent months have seen two books published by residents, near neighbours, of Upper Denton. First we had Charles Christian's "Shuckland" and now Paul Wilby has published "Warning Not for Snowflakes".
It has even been rumoured that a third book, on a legal theme from another, learned, DGRdite, may be on its way. Of course they do suffer from poor broadband up there, so perhaps this may give them more time for pen-pushing?
Posted
Despite current difficulties, a number of Denton residents followed our traditional practice of sending seasonal greetings to all their friends in the village via the display in the Village Hall. They then donated the money they saved by using this route to charity.
This year, with limited visits to the Hall we thought it would be nice to display the cards here -
and list those who sent them.
They were: Liz Cargill & Keith Ellis; Anne & Richard Carden; Jennie & John Crohill; Fiona Easton; Andrea & Mike Fitzgerald; Sara & Terry Fox; Rosemary & Roger Gibson; Adele & David Godsmark; Colin & Sandra Gordon; Denise & Peter Grant; Terry, Kath & Lucy Hanner; Allan & Sarah Henderson; Alan & Linda Jenkins; Hilary & David Kemp and family; Jason & Christine Kerr; Doris & David Lambert; Alan, Zoe & Leroy Lawrence; Kathyrn & Phil Luton; The Parsons family including - Margaret, David, Richard, Emma, Oliver, Kate, Noah, Annabelle, Grace, & Harry; Ronnie & Maureen Philips; Kim & Phil Poulton; Maureen & Nigel Seamons; Sheila; Helen, Imogen & Lydia Sida-Page; Barbara Spaul; Alan & Heather Squirrell; Hilda Thomas; Jean & Chris Whipps; Annie & Steve Whiteman; Paul & Karen Wilby; Eddie Winter.
The donations totalled £235 which, together with the £400 raised by the carol singers, will go as usual to the Bwindi Orphanage and Hospital in Uganda.
Posted
Sadly, due to Covid issues, it was decided to cancel the final Denton get-together of the year, the New Year's Eve Party in the Village Hall Bar. Let us hope that things will work out rather better in 2022.
At least we did get some sunshine on the last day of the year, culminating in a magnificent sunset -
Something new for 22 is an excellent "Village Sign" imported, thanks to Charles Christian, from the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Denton, Texas.
