Denstone Village

Dog Show 2012

admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:44:30 +0000

The Denstone Youth Fund had a great time organising the Dog Show which was part of the Denstone Show on 8th September. The weather was kind and fun was had by all.

Denstone Factor Team Take Off Again

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:19:18 +0000

Members of the Denstone Factor team have presented a cheque to another local charity following the highly successful Denstone Factor 2012 held last month. This week, Debbie Andrew, Sarah Bentley, Liz Ratcliffe and Pete Smith met with Charles Docksey of the Midland Air Ambulance Charity to hand over a cheque for £300.

The presentation took place at the Step 2 Dance Studio in Uttoxeter with members of the winning street dance troupe - Karizma Krew - in attendance. (Click photo to see larger version.)

It is not always fully appreciated that Midlands Air Ambulance (formerly known as County Air Ambulance) is funded solely by the public and local businesses. The Charity receives no government money or National Lottery funding. It is purely the generosity of the public which helps to raise the £6 million required each year to ensure our three helicopters remain operational.

Midlands Air Ambulance has been saving lives since 1991 and has now flown more than 30,000 missions. The Charity has an unrivalled reputation as a ‘life saver’, serving communities across six counties of the Midlands and Welsh border region.

The fleet comprises three Eurocopter 135 aircraft, each carrying a crew of three – Pilot, two Paramedics or a Flight Doctor and Paramedic. The helicopter also carries full life-support medical equipment.

It is generally accepted that the first hour after an accident - referred to as the ‘Golden Hour’ - is a crucial time for any patient. If a patient reaches hospital during those first sixty minutes, the chances of survival are greatly increased. That’s why the rapid response of an Air Ambulance is so vital in an emergency. The maximum flying time to the nearest hospital from anywhere in the region is less than fifteen minutes.

For more information on how to support the MAA please go their website www.midlandsairambulance.com

Denstone Factor Winners Present Cheque

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:01:20 +0000

Organisers of Denstone Factor 2012 visited the Step 2 Dance studio in Uttoxeter’s Market Square last week to hand over a cheque to the Rakemark Respite charity.

Members of the winning dance ensemble Karisma Krew, under the instruction of dance teacher Aimee Byatt, showed Debbie Andrew, Glynn Walker and Liz Ratcliffe, from Denstone Factor, some more of their street dance moves. The gathering was also treated to very special performance from six year old Morgan McGarry whose mum Sue McGarry set up the Rakemark Respite charity which operates out of the “Treetops” venue at Picknalls First School in Uttoxeter.

Morgan - who attends the holiday clubs at Rakemark Respite - danced to Telling the World by Taio Cruz ably led by Lucy Barbour and Holly Civil.

Rakemark Respite is a local organisation set up to support the families of special needs children through school holidays. Its aim is to continue the routine and stimulation that is so crucial to the 4 to 8 year olds in their care.

Debbie Andrew said “We are delighted to support the work of such a worthwhile project. Sue works tirelessly in helping others, and it is good to see money raised locally being used for local families in this way!

(Click photo to see larger version)

Six year old Morgan McGarry receives the Denstone Factor 2012 cheque for £500

Watch Morgan dancing with Lucy and Holly below.

Denstone in the Snow

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:32:36 +0000

Fun in the Snow 5th February 2012

Christmas Tree Festival

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:06:31 +0000

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL BRINGS JOY TO A LOCAL VILLAGE

All Saints Church in Denstone village hosted their third Christmas Tree Festival that drew greater crowds than ever before and which wowed the local community. As visitors entered the church the sight that greeted them took their breath away. The nave and chancel were lined with tree after tree, each of which had been decorated in such a way as to show which club, group, organisation or business had presented it. There were nineteen trees in all and visitors to the church were amazed, such was the inventiveness and individuality of each tree. It was clear that great fun had been had by all the groups who had made their own themed decorations.

“This was our third and most successful Christmas Tree Festival,” said Judy Hood, a member of the fund-raising committee. “We had well over 250 visitors through the church and the end result was that we raised £1,084 for church funds. And even more importantly, the festival brought a huge number of people together all working for a common purpose.”

The visitors to the church had not only the delight of the trees themselves, but they were provided with hot drinks and mince pies provided by members of the WI, and were also treated to organ music played by seven different organists throughout the weekend. On Sunday morning the musical highlight was a performance by the Alton Handbell Ringers. The festival was brought to a close by an evening service of carols chosen by the local organisations.

(Click photos to see larger version)

Mothers Union Advent Carols

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:55:35 +0000

Mothers and Children Gather to Celebrate Advent

The sound of young and old voices singing carols filled Denstone Village Hall one evening as the mothers, fathers, grandparents and children of the village came together to celebrate Advent. The annual service was organised by the Mothers’ Union and involved the children in lighting the advent candles, reading prayers and performing to their families the musical items that they have been learning this term and that have been specially written for them by their music teacher Caroline Wedd. The Stubwood Singers under the direction of Susanne Smith also performed a carol and gave some readings. There was hardly a dry eye in the hall as the children from All Saints School stood proudly and confidently on stage and sang their hearts out. At the end of the celebration, hot drinks and mince pies were enjoyed by everybody.

(Click photos to see larger version)

Mothers’ Union Knit Their Way to Christmas

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:20:24 +0000

Members of the Denstone Mothers’ Union have been busy over the last month knitting figures for a nativity scene which they then kindly presented to the children at All Saints Primary School. In the school assembly the children were invited up individually to unwrap each figure and show it to the school. There were shepherds, Mary, Joseph, the cradle and some sheep all beautifully hand knitted in contrasting colours. The children were amazed and will proudly add them to the main school nativity display.

[Click photos to see larger version]

Denstone Autumn Litter Sweep 2011

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:16:57 +0000

For several years, now, we have carried out two village litter sweeps a year – one in spring and the other in autumn. This year it was decided to undertake the second sweep in November after Alton Towers had closed.

Sunday 20th of November dawned foggy and grey and it never seemed actually to grow properly light. I did wonder under the circumstance whether anybody would turn up, but I shouldn’t have worried. Denstone people are made of stern stuff and at the appointed time eighteen stalwart, high-viz-clad individuals checked in, grabbed plastic sacks and litter-pickers and disappeared into the gloom for about an hour. Meanwhile Nancy Turner arrived to make tea for the team. Biscuits were put out, tables and chairs assembled and at the end of the hour a very cheerful gathering assembled having left eighteen full sacks of litter on the car park ready for collection. Most of the litter was picked up off the roads leading into the village. The collection was mostly made up of endless cans and bottles of drink, discarded tyres, hubcaps, food containers and wrappers.

[Click photos to see larger version]

I should like to thank all those who took part for their support and the commitment and sense of fun they brought to the activity. Let’s hope that Denstone will remain litter-free for a few months at least and that more people will take it upon themselves to pick up any litter they come across. The next spring clean will take place sometime in April.

Mary Spencer

Royal British Legion Gala Evening

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:17:41 +0000

GALA EVENING RAISES THE ROOF

Local residents enjoyed a glorious Gala Evening presented by a host of entertainers who came together to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the Denstone branch of the Royal British Legion. There was an extra poignancy to the occasion as Tim Dawson, who had loyally served as secretary and treasurer to the Denstone branch over many years, and who had been a galvanising force in the planning of the evening, had very sadly died just a few days previously. Fittingly, the evening began with a minute’s silence in his memory, and heads were bowed as the Denstone and the Cheddleton standards were dipped in his honour.

Gala Night - Dad's Army Sketch

The evening was a sell-out, and the audience was right royally entertained by solo artists Lionel Lethbridge, Paul Johnson and Susanne Smith, two singing groups – The Churnet Valley Male Voice Choir conducted by Janet Downing, and the Stubwood Singers directed by Susanne Smith – and finally a troupe of actors, directed by Dennis Parker, who performed a most amusing Dad’s Army sketch.

[Click photos to see larger version]

Gala Night - Choir

The final item on the programme involved everybody – performers and audience alike - in a roof-raising sing-along of There’ll be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover, We’ll Meet Again and Land of Hope and Glory. The singing must have been heard all over the village.

‘It was a truly entertaining and heart-warming few hours,’ said Glan Jones, president of the branch and master of ceremonies for the evening. ‘Everybody entered into the fun of it, sang their hearts out and probably went home nursing some very sore throats.’

Denstone Show 2011

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:10:27 +0000

Denstone Village Show returned in full force this year on Saturday 17 September with plenty of attractions and entertainment for the crowds of visitors who came to enjoy themselves.

Dogs in Show Ring

The afternoon started with a Fun Dog Show, which included several competition classes (such as “The Waggiest Tail”) and a dog training demonstration from Hooligan Hounds. The Abbeyfields Veterinary Surgery were on site and handed out doggie treats and pet first aid packs.

[Click photos to see larger version]

Floral Art

The main show included the traditional show competition classes, as well as plenty of stalls, demonstrations, and other entertainment - and of course refreshments.

More Dog Show Photos

Hooligan Hounds Demonstration

Truman and Billy waiting for their turn

Catrina with Billy

Vet Stand at Fun Dog Show

More Show Photos

Morris Dancers at the Denstone Show

Produce and Floral Art