Denstone Village
Welcome Pack
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Welcome to Denstone
We hope that the information contained in this Welcome Pack will help you to settle more comfortably in your new home and the village.
Denstone is a thriving community with a number of local clubs and societies, details of which can be found in this pack. The Village Hall is the venue for many of these events.
The History of the Village
Although there are records of Denstone going back to Norman times, it was not until the arrival of Sir Thomas Percival Heywood in the 1840s that the village was really established. Prior to this time, Denstone was an agricultural area bounded by the River Churnet and consisting of sparsely populated, scattered hamlets. The Heywoods were a wealthy banking family from Manchester and Sir Thomas had a wish to become a squire of his own village and Parish. To this end he employed one of the finest architects of the day, George Edmund Street a leader in the Victorian Gothic Revival, to build Denstone Church. The Church was completed in 1862 and Sir Thomas then had the original village school built in 1870 and the Church Room in 1890. The old school is now a private dwelling, but the Church Room has not been used for the last ten years.
The major housing developments in Denstone have taken place in the last fifty years, although some local authority houses were built in the 1930s. Denstone has been transformed from a small village of about fifty dwellings firmly based on agriculture, to a thriving community today. There are now about two hundred and fifty dwellings within the village and another hundred or so in the hamlets of Stubwood, Quixhill and Prestwood which are part of the Parish. Denstone is unique when compared with other rural villages of similar size in that there are two significant organisations within walking distance of the village centre – Denstone College and the main plant and Headquarters of JCB which started operating on this site in 1950. The College has grown over the years and now caters for over five hundred students, with one third boarding, and employs over one hundred and fifty staff – the majority living in Denstone and surrounding villages. JCB has also grown with the numbers employed at the Lakeside increasing from twenty in 1950 to over two thousand at present and, again, many of these employees reside in Denstone.
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Your Parish Council Members
Bob Beaumont Chris Podmore Clerk Councillor
Tel: 01889 590 554 Tel: 01889 591197
John Ashmole Ann Ratcliffe Chairman, Councillor Councillor
Tel: 01889 591 361 Tel: 01889 590405
Jenny Richardson Simon Ratcliffe Vice Chairman, Councillor Councillor
Tel: 01889 591 762 Tel: 01889 591339
Jo Bednall Caroline Salt Councillor Councillor
Tel: 01889 590175 Tel: 01889 590236
Edward Edmonds Bob Wright Councillor Councillor
Tel: 01889 591044 Tel: 01889 590113
Parish Council Meetings
The Parish Council meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. The agenda and previous meeting’s minutes are posted on the village notice board. Members of the public are welcome to attend, and speak to the Council at the appropriate time in the meetings.
Other Village Representatives
Ward and Borough Councillor Mr Philip Atkins Email: [email protected]
Member of Parliament: Mrs Janet Dean Email: [email protected]
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Parish Church
All Saints Church is well worth visiting for its beautiful design and friendly services. It is the centre for Christian worship in Denstone; it is also an historically important building in the development of the village. The church was founded by Sir Thomas Percival Heywood, who employed George Edward Street to design it. Street was a great architect associated with the 'Gothic Revival' ranking alongside Pugin and Butterfield. All Saint's was Street's favourite Church, and is regarded as one of his finest works. Its corner stone was laid in 1860 and the church was completed in 1862. For a more detailed history, a leaflet is available from All Saints Church on request.
Other local places of worship
Stubwood's small Methodist Chapel dates from 1841 and is only a short walk from Denstone. It holds regular Sunday services and a monthly family service. Up to date information can be found on its notice board. The nearest Roman Catholic churches are at Alton and Uttoxeter.
Health
General Practitioners:
• The Newcroft Surgery Mill Street Rocester Staffs Tel. No. 01889 590208
• Northgate Surgery Church Street Uttoxeter Staffs. Tel. No. 01889 562010
• Medical Centre Balance Street Uttoxeter Staffs Tel. No. 01889 562145
• Alton Primary Care Centre Hurstons Lane Alton ST10 4AP Tel: 01538 704 200 Version 4.5.08 4 [email protected]
Hospitals:
• Burton Hospitals NHS Trust Tel: 01283 566333
• Derby City General Hospital & Derbyshire Royal Infirmary Tel: 01332 340131
• Staffordshire General Hospital Tel: 01785 257731
• University Hospital of North Staffordshire Tel: 01782 715444
Dentists
• Gathercole and Bason 21 High Street Uttoxeter Tel. No. 01889 564565
• The Staffordshire Clinic Jervis House Church Street Uttoxeter Tel. No. 01889 562109
• White Peak Dental Practice 19 Compton Street Ashbourne Tel: 01335 343126
• Whitecross Dental Centre 5-6 Trinity Square Uttoxeter Tel: 01889 560818
• Winfield, Rose and Woods 7 Church Street Ashbourne Tel: 01335 342509
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Vets
• The Glenthorne Veterinary Practice 71 Derby Road Uttoxeter Tel. No. 01889 562164
• Julie Hims 67 High Street Rocester Tel. No. 01889 590449
Shops and Post Office
Denstone Hall Farm Shop
Opening Times
Monday Closed Closed Tuesday 08.30 18:00 Wednesday 08.30 18:00 Thursday 08.30 19:00 Friday 08.30 19:00 Saturday 08.30 19:00 Sunday 10.00 16:00
The Post Office
Opening Times
Monday 09:00 13:00 Tuesday 09:00 13:00 Wednesday 09:00 13:00 Thursday 09:00 13:00 Friday 09:00 13:00
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The Village Stores Opening Time s
Monday 09:00-13.30 14.30 – 18.00 Tuesday 09:00-13.30 14.30 – 18.00
Wednesday 09:00-13.30 14.30 – 18.00 Thursday 09:00-13.30 14.30 – 18.00 Friday 09:00-13.30 14.30 – 18.00 Saturday 09:00 – 13.00 Sunday 09:00 – 12.00
Education
Playgroup
Available to Children aged 2½ yrs up to School Age “We offer your Child a caring and safe environment to develop through play with friendly qualified staff”.
Sessions
Monday 09:00 12:00 Tuesday - - Wednesday 09:00 12:00 Thursday 09:00 12:00 Friday 09:00 12:00
In addition to this there is a Mothers and Toddlers’ group who meet on Tuesdays from 9.15 – 11.15.
All Saints CE (C) First School Oak Road Denstone Tel. No. 01889 590418
Our school admits children of 4 – 9 years of age. There are currently 73 children attending the school, organised in four classes. We have a lovely new building with excellent grounds, set in a beautiful part of Staffordshire.
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Ryecroft Middle School Denstone Road Rocester Tel No. 01889 590394
For children aged 9 – 13 years of age.
An extract from the school website: “Being a relatively small Middle School, we pride ourselves in our knowledge of each child and the reassuring and positive atmosphere within the school. We believe our school provides the smoothest possible transition from the class-based organisation of the First School to the specialised subject based curriculum of the High School.”
Thomas Alleyne’s High School Dove Bank Uttoxeter Staff Tel. No. 01889 590394
For children aged 13 – 18 years of age.
An extract from the school website:
“Our school is a progressive one with traditional values in school and our core values are based on promoting good manners, respect, responsibility and care in the community.”
Denstone College Denstone Staffs ST14 5HN Tel. No. 01889 591415 (Admissions Secretary)
Denstone College is a private co-educational boarding and day schools taking pupils from 11 – 18 years of age. A range of academic and sporting scholarships are available.
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Public Transport
Bus
There are currently three main bus services running through the village. These are as follows:
• The 409 route provided by Arriva. Visit www.arriva.co.uk for the latest timetable. (Ashbourne – Uttoxeter)
• The 32A route provide by First Group. Visit www.firstgroup.com for the latest timetable. (Hanley – Uttoxeter)
• The 184 route provided by Bennetts Travel operates on Wednesdays only. (Hollington to Uttoxeter via Stubwood)
Bus timetables are displayed outside the Post Office.
Train
There is a train station in Uttoxeter with services to Derby, and also to Crewe via Stoke. For details call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest timetables.
Sport and Recreation
Denstone Tennis Club Oak Road Denstone
For more details contact Lesley Tetley Tel. No. 01889 567820 Or Keith Ford Tel. No. 01538 703352
Bowls Club
College Road Denstone
For more details contact Chairman, Joe Whitbread Tel. No. 01889 590414 Or Peter Woodward Tel. No. 01889 590371 Version 4.5.08 9 [email protected]
Libraries
Uttoxeter Library Tel. No. 01889 256371
Opening Times
Monday 09:00 17:00 Tuesday 09:00 17:00 Wednesday 09:00 17:00 Thursday 09:00 17:00 Friday 09:00 19:00 Saturday 09:00 16:00 Sunday Closed Closed
There is also a mobile library which visits Denstone on alternate Wednesdays – see Village Notice Board for dates and times.
Household Recycling Centre
Pennycroft Lane Uttoxeter ST14 7BW
Summer Opening Winter Openin g Times Times
Monday 09:00 18:00 Monday 09:00 16:30 Tuesday 09:00 18:00 Tuesday 09:00 16:30 Wednesday Closed Closed Wednesday Closed Closed Thursday Closed Closed Thursday Closed Closed Friday 09:00 18:00 Friday 09:00 16:30 Saturday 09:00 17:00 Saturday 09:00 16:30 Sunday 09:00 17:00 Sunday 09:00 16:30
ESBC Waste Management Team Tel: 0800 269 098
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Local Clubs and Societies
The Tuesday Club
Denstone Tuesday Club is available for residents of Denstone, their relatives and friends. There is no age limit and no subscription. The club meets on the first Tuesday of the month. In February, March, May, October and December the Club meets in the Village Hall at 2.30. In April, June, September and November coach outings are arranged which leave the Village Hall at 1.30. In July, the Club meets at Lane Head, Stubwood at 3 p.m. There are no meetings in January or August. Further information from Beryl Dawson on 01889 590770.
Women’s Institute
Denstone Women’s Institute was formed in 1921 and currently has over 40 members.
Meetings are held at Denstone Village Hall on the third Monday of every month starting at 7.30 p.m. Each meeting invites interesting speakers on many topics both serious and often humorous. Issues which affect women both in the UK and Countries abroad are brought to our attention through the National Federation of Women’s Institutes and a wide range of activities are organised through our County Federation which is based at Stafford. Denstone W I is part of the Two Rivers Group of Women’s Institute and twice yearly a social evening is held with Rocester, Alton and Wootton Institutes.
The Denstone Art Group (DAG)
The Denstone Art Group meets in the Village Hall on Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. It is a non-profit making organisation and recently had funding from the Adult Education Service in Staffordshire. It welcomes any new members to come along and paint in their own media (Water colours, oils, acrylics etc), have a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy good company. We began with just four members and now have over twelve. Complete beginners are most welcome and will receive help if required.
Denstone and District Garden Guild
Meetings are held in Denstone Village Hall at 7.45 p.m. on the first Monday of each month from September through to April. This is an opportunity for people with an interest in gardening and plant life to get together, exchange ideas and enjoy talks from a variety of speakers on gardening topics and associated subjects. A fund raising evening is held, usually in late May. We also arrange visits to gardens during the summer months. If you want to know more, please contact our Secretary Mrs Helve Bateman on 01889 507322 or Miss Margaret Bleything our Treasurer on 01889 591081.
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Denstone Youth Fund
Denstone Youth Fund was formed after a Vital Villages survey highlighted the complete lack of recreational facilities for the children in Denstone. We believe that the children and young people of Denstone deserve the same recreational activities as the children in Rocester, Ashbourne and Uttoxeter. We hope you think so too and will come along to support the Denstone Youth Fund in their various projects and fund-raising activities. Information about forthcoming events can be found on the village website. We have already successfully opened a play area for the younger children on a site in the middle of the village. Our current project is to provide a recreational area on the Old Railway Line for the teenagers. This area will have adventure style play equipment designed for this age group. We are actively fundraising to deliver this project.
Denstone Players
The Denstone Players recently celebrated their 20th birthday. The group, which started with 10 members, has had many people come and go over the years, with a few having been involved from the beginning. It is a very happy society. An average of two plays are produced every year in Denstone Village Hall, which are well supported by the village and other amateur dramatics groups.
The Mothers Union
Denstone Mothers Union meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30 p.m. The branch leader is Mrs Ann Johnson, Hillside Farm, Alton Road, Denstone, Tel No. 01889 590760, and the meetings are usually held at this address, or as advertised in The Weaver Message.
The Mothers Union is a world-wide Anglican organisation whose purpose it is to be concerned with all aspects of Christian family life.
As a voluntary organisation, the Mothers Union offers friendship, care and unconditional love to the thousands of women and men throughout the world.
At our monthly meetings, we have a variety of speakers. We take part in village and church events including a Pram Service for babies, toddlers and the Reception Class from All Saints School in Denstone.
We are always looking to recruit new members in the Mothers Union and you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome.
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Tom Boden Memorial Sports Trust
The Tom Boden Memorial Sports Trust is a registered charity which owns land in the centre of the village and leases the areas used by the Bowls Green, The Tennis Club and the Younger Children’s Play area.
The objectives of the Tom Boden Memorial Sports Trust are:
To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Denstone and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
Village Hall
Denstone Village Hall is situated in the centre of the village opposite The Tavern public house. It forms the venue for a lot of the village activities. The Hall itself was opened in 1962, but received a major upgrade in 1999. Denstone Village Hall is a registered charity run by a Management Committee. For hall bookings please contact John Etherington on 01889 590750.
Vital Villages
This project came about as a result of a Government Rural White Paper launching the concept of Parish Plans and became known as the Vital Village Initiative.
A Parish Plan resulting from a comprehensive survey was drawn up in Dec 2004. Seven action plans resulting from this exercise have been actively pursued in a series of monthly meetings of Parishioners interested in driving these projects forward.
Web Site
The Denstone website can be accessed at www.denstonevillage.org.uk . Additional information about the village can be accessed via this link. Downloadable information such as:
• Parish Council meeting minutes • Photos of the village • Pub menus • News and information • Local events
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• Activity consent forms, • Posters • A fun map of the village provided by Google Maps
Your Notes
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