Denstone Village

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

All Saints Summer Sizzler

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:28:53 +0000

Residents of a local village were able to enjoy a barbecue on a perfect summer’s day. Wendy and Richard Forrester of Stubwood village hosted the event in order to raise funds for All Saints Church in the parish of Denstone.

As is always the case, there were many willing helpers – the men manning the four barbecues and the women producing a mouth-watering spread of puddings.

Richard and Wendy’s garden, with its extensive views over the Weaver Hills, looked a picture and all those who attended felt they had had a right royal feast in perfect surroundings. ‘We were truly blessed with the weather,’ said Wendy, ‘and we were proud to have raised about £500 for the church.’

Smile Train

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:25:49 +0000

Robbie and Lorna Cooper of Oak Road spent August Bank Holiday Sunday selling plums from their trees, and cakes and biscuits that they had made and decorated. They were raising money for Smile Train, the charity which transforms the lives of children born with cleft palates.

Ask and You Shall Receive

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:24:41 +0000

A group of young children in Denstone parish have been enjoying themselves at the annual holiday club organised by All Saints’ Church.

The club’s name is ASK (All Saints’ Kids) and for two hours each day for a week the children have been invited into the church where they have participated in all kinds of activities and games as well as learning about the story of Moses. A large space in the nave of the church has been cleared for the purpose and the club has also used the grass area outside the back of the church for the more energetic games much enjoyed in the lovely weather.

The club has been run by about a dozen willing helpers in the village (including some older children) supported by the vicar, the Rev. John Richardson. ‘Our aim,’ he said, ‘is to maintain a high profile for the church within the parish and, in addition to this week’s holiday club, we also run a weekly club in term time at All Saints First School and hold a Pram Service twice a term for the pre-school children of the parish.’

William Newport (6) and Joshua Tortonesi have obviously been enjoying themselves. ‘The best bit,’ they said, ‘was playing the parachute game outside and also pass the parcel.’

The week has finished with a grand picnic with everybody eating as much as they could possibly fit in.