Members of the Black Hand Cyder Society know when summer is really here when the first Boule evening of the season is announced.
This Sunday evening saw the great return of this wonderful Denton institution. Courtesy of the Godsmark family, their Bouledrome was back in use and petanque under way. Suitable quantities of the Society's excellent beverage were consumed and the barbecue kept very busy.
As the evening progressed the temperature did drop, so the wood fire provided was much appreciated, but, as usual, it was a great social occasion in the best Denton tradition.
It is expected that such evenings will carry on throughout the summer on selected evenings, not always Thursdays. Details will be shown on the Society's Page on the website. New members of the BHCSoc are always welcome.
Saturday saw a completely new type of event at the Village Hall - you cannot say that happens very often!
It was Question Time with, just like on BBC TV, a panel of five guests but controlled by Denton's own version of Fiona Bruce. One change was to confine the discussion to a single topic, Climate Change, and another was to ask people to submit their questions in advance. These were given to the panel, also in advance, which made it easier for them, but obviously made the discussion much more productive.
The panel comprised: Emily Winter, Peter Grant, David Parsons, Chris Brown and Ken Ashton. They all made valuable contributions to the debate. Brucie turned out to be a male Darrow Green Road resident but suitably disguised, looking just as attractive as FB herself (well almost).
Emily Winter, Peter Grant and David Parsons.
Chris Brown, Ken Ashton and "Fiona Bruce".
The questions covered a wide range of issues relating to Climate Change including:
"Was it all caused by the Earth Evolving or Human Activity?",
"Should Solar Farms be allowed at the expense of Agricultural Land?",
"Was the switch to Electric Vehicles sustainable?",
"Could the issues with Batteries be overcome?,
"Should we all be encouraged to become Vegetarians?",
"Should a Congestion Charge be introduced in Norwich",
"With all the concerns about Food Miles, should there be a Carbon Tax on Food Imports?, "What should we all be doing individually to reduce Climate Change?".
These generated a wide range of responses from the panel but, in contrast to some peoples' forecasts, the debate was conducted in a very civilised fashion. Credit for this must go to the Chair who, as one member of the audience commented, did a much better job that the real Fiona Bruce.
Finally, the Bar was of course open and a wonderful range of "light refreshments" provided at half-time.
There was a disappointing attendance at this year's Annual Parish Meeting, held at the Village Hall on Tuesday, 23rd May, but, as somebody pointed out, you really need a good controversial local issue to get people to turn-out on such a pleasant evening.
Those who did attend heard an interesting presentation from the Guest Speaker, Emily Winter, on her work for the Waveney Valley Trust, on four days a week, and at Darrow Farm for the other three. The former included - working to provide good water quality and good public access to the river, with paddle-boarding increasingly popular. On the farm she explained the problems caused by modern farming methods and her efforts to move towards more sustainable agriculture.
Terry Hanner presented his Report as Chairman of the PC and thanked his fellow councillors, and others, who had contributed so much to community life during the year.
Reports on their activities were delivered by: The Church in Denton, The Art Group, The WI, the Gardening Club and the Village Hall Management Committee.
Chris Brown, as one of our District Councillors, reported on the latest developments at South Norfolk particularly the move of the Council's offices to the Horizon Centre at the Broadland Business Park.
The last Item on the agenda was Public Participation providing residents with an opportunity to raise their concerns. The only matter raised was the continuing problems caused by potholes in local roads. These had already been taken up by the Parish Council with the Highways Authority but would be pursued.
After all the razzmatazz of the Coronation itself on Saturday, it was back to Denton's own great traditions on Sunday with a wonderful lunch laid on at the Village Hall. And what a great time we all had.
Congratulations and thanks must go to everyone involved in organising the event which ran so smoothly. As usual the bar did a roaring trade, the food was excellent, lots of people took up the offer of second helpings, and, perhaps best of all, the mardling was just great.
One highlight was the excellent speech from Eddie Winter in moving the loyal toast, for which suitable bubbly liquid was provided. He welcomed one person present, the former, Heather Sheldrake, who had served as an Attendant to the Coronation Queen at the celebrations held in the village for the 1953 Coronation. He also pointed out that, for a very small number of people present, it was their third such event.
Eddie Winter with, the former, Heather Sheldrake, aged 87, and her sister Joyce, 96!
A competition for children was organised - the task being to create the best Crown. The result was : First - Maisie Savill, Second - Alba Godsmark, Third - Edward Brown.
All the children in the village of school age and younger were given a special book-mark to commemorate the event.
