Don’t forget to put the weekend of the 4th – 5th September in your diary or in your online calendar, as that is the weekend of Dersingham Open Gardens. The participating gardens will be open on both days from 11.00am until 5.00pm.

We have many “old-favourites” open and some new gardens to explore. Some of the gardens belong to local artists, who will have their studios open. Tickets will be on sale at £4 in advance at Dersingham Post Office, or £5 on the day at the Village Centre. From the Centre you will also be able to pick up your programme and list of the gardens. There will be refreshments on sale at the Centre from 10.30 on both days. All proceeds from the event will be divided between St Nicholas Church and the Village Centre.

Last year’s event was highly successful despite moving from spring to late summer and the gardeners look forward to welcoming even more visitors this year!

Despite various hiccups from Government regulations we are gradually moving towards normal operation. This is a roundup of events and activities that are taking place or restarting over the next weeks and months. We hope to see you at some of them!

If you have any questions about our events please email us at contact@dersinghamvillagecentre.org.uk

Coffee Shop resumes on Thursday 5th August 9.30am – 12.30pm. From the 10th September there will be a Friday coffee shop too.

Friendship Lunches resume on Tuesday 3rd August. Booking essential, phone 01485 540644.

Dersingham Open Gardens on Saturday and Sunday 4th – 5th September. Over a dozen open gardens, some with art studios too. Tickets and Refreshments at the Centre. More details later.

Tea Dances resume on Friday 24th September 2.00pm – 4.00pm.

Village Cinema resumes on Tuesday 28th September 7.30pm with The Keeper (15).

Tennis Club Disco and Supper. Friday 1st October 7.00pm. More information from 01485 540271.

Ceilidh and Supper. Saturday 30th October 7.00pm. More information from 01485 540271.

There is some more information on our poster, see below.

Our carol singalong on the evening of December 19th turned out to be a lovely event, complete with the ‘star of Bethlehem’ visible just above the horizon! The star is actually the great conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, which currently appear almost as one, all very exciting.

The music to accompany this spectacle of the night sky was provided by an excellent group of singers with keyboard accompaniment, organised by Village Centre Trustee David Collingham.  Naturally those assembled in the Centre car park were eager to add their own voices, so there were enthusiastic versions of many popular carols and Christmas songs. To fuel the singers there was mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls, provided by Centre volunteers.

All in all a great evening and we hope to repeat the event in a year’s time, when hopefully there will not have to be so much emphasis on social distancing.

Stay safe and well everybody. You can see some photos of the event below. Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year!

We are pleased to announce that the Centre will reopen immediately after the lockdown, with some of our regular classes starting again on Wednesday 2nd December. Following on from that we have a couple of special events lined up, to usher in the Christmas season.

On Tuesday 15th December we will be holding our Christmas Friendship Lunch which is always a popular event. Needless to say booking is essential, by phoning 01485 540644. Numbers must be strictly limited due to Covid-19 regulations, so please book early. The cost is £5 for two courses and tea or coffee.

Then, on Saturday 19th December, there is an opportunity to sing some carols, as everyone loves to do at this time of the year! Between 5 – 6pm there will be carol singing outside the Village Centre, to which all are welcome. This is a Covid-19 secure event so again social distancing must be observed at all times, but there will be some lovely festive music and refreshments will be available. More details nearer the time.

Rather later in the year than anticipated, but Dersingham will open over twelve gardens this coming weekend 5th and 6th September, from 11.00am – 5.00pm both days.

The popular event normally takes place over the end of May bank holiday, but due to the pandemic it had to be put on hold for a few months. Nonetheless, there will still be a whiff of Chelsea in the air as you wander round and, yes, there will be tea and cake at the Village Centre!

Tickets cost £5 on the day from the Village Centre, note that there are no advance tickets this year. Children under 16 free but must be accompanied by an adult. On buying your ticket you will be given a guide to the gardens. All profits will be shared between the two charities of St Nicholas Church and the Village Centre.

There are two extra events. Firstly, there will be numerous (50 at the latest count) yard sales going on around the village, where there are sure to be some bargains. The yards are also raising money for the church and the Centre and there will be a guide to the yards available at the Village Centre, or at 19 Holyrood Drive. It costs £1 and all proceeds go to the charities.

Secondly, in the evening there will be a special screening at the Village Cinema, in the main hall of the Centre. The film is Doolittle, the most recent remake of the Doctor Doolittle story about a doctor who really can talk to animals. There are full details on the poster and in last week’s blog post.

Let’s all hope for good weather. Stay safe, remember to socially distance in the gardens and it will be a great event!

The 6th of July is slowly approaching, and from that date the Village Centre will be once again available for hire. However, our reopening is not quite what we had planned. Government guidance means that exercise and dance classes cannot yet restart and there is no clear indication as to when this will change.

The DVCA Trustees are, of course, disappointed, but the safety of everybody is paramount.   The Centre will be available for hire for any event the does meet Government guidelines and you are invited to contact us via bookings@dersinghamvillagecentre.org.uk  Indeed, we can take future bookings for all types of event, but it is important to understand that any booking is completely dependent on the Government guidelines and laws that are in force at the relevant time. Additionally, the DVCA must reserve the right to cancel any booking if the Trustees feel that, for any reason, it cannot take place safely.

We will bring you further updates as soon as we are able to do so. Meanwhile, stay safe, protect yourself and protect others and keep washing those hands. Let’s keep Dersingham fit and healthy!

Like all exercise groups at the Centre, the Pilates groups with Elke have had to take an enforced break during lock-down. However, Elke is organising some online classes for you! See the details below and get in touch with her to book your place:  Contrology8@gmail.com or telephone 07971 440539.

NEW – Online Live – Slinky Stretch Mat Class

Thursdays 6.00 – 6:45pm