Dersingham & District News

Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Stella Gooch

The July Dersingham Community Lunch, held at Dersingham Social Club, got off to an unusually early start this time due to the nature of its programme.  At the entrance to the lunch, I found Tony Bubb, Steve Davis and volunteers from Prior’s the butchers in attendance at a well set up BBQ.  They were hard at work tending our lunch as they greeted the arriving lunch guests from 11.30am.   Guests were invited to choose a named table to sit at with each table representing a local charity.  Those joining each table made up a quiz team ready to compete to raise funds for the named charity.

Bob Tipling, President and founder of Dersingham’s Community Lunch welcomed everyone to the July event and introduced Mayor Colin Sampson (and his wife Sue) of Kings Lynn.  Mayor  Sampson talked eloquently about his staunch support for the work of Tapping House Hospice and what a fantastic job they do in supporting terminally ill patients and their families through a very difficult time.

There was a real buzz around the room as we all put our heads together (and scratched very hard!!!) to puzzle over the searching questions about Dersingham over the years.  It was soon revealed that the quiz questions were compiled by Dick Melton and Dersingham Parish Council.

I was not surprised that Dick Melton had inspired many of the questions and I had no clue at all but I did my best to help my team, although I fear they may have been better off without me.  My fellow team members (including staff from Swains and Hayes & Storr Solicitors) seemed to feel much the same as myself.  We all appeared to be aged around 40, give or take, and we all feared we were not old enough to recall most of the necessary facts which would win the day.  Our fears were justified when we were announced as being in last place with just 51/2 points out of 20.  Personally, I was amazed we achieved that many points as the quiz was amazingly difficult as you will see by the questions (and answers) below …

Q1. In the 1800s what bird would you have seen on Dersingham Heath?
A1. Great Busted

Q2. How many councillors are allowed to make up Dersingham Parish Council?
Q2. 18

Q3. Where is the chalk pit and car stone pit in Dersingham?
A3. Shernbourne Road

Q4. What day and time in the month does Dersingham hold their full council meeting?
A4. Last Monday in each month at 7pm at the Dersingham Infants and Nursery School in Saxon Way

Q5. What was washed up on Dersingham beach in 1972?
A5. Whale

Q6. Where is the old shop that for many years was called Parker’s Stores?
A6. Manor Road – the bottom of Sandringham Hill

Q7. Who is the Norfolk County Councillor for Dersingham?
A7. John Dobson

Q8. There were two blacksmith shops in Dersingham – which roads were they in?
A8. Manor road and Post Office Road

Q9. How long is the time allowed for public questions at the start of full council meetings?
A9. 15 minutes

Q10. Where is there a sandpit in the village?
A10. Near the George Pratt Roundabout

Q11. Where was there once a 1,000 yard rifle range in the village?
A11. On the fen

Q12. How many windmills were there in Dersingham in 1910?
A12. Three

Q13. What can be found in Mountbattent Road, left over from the Second World War?
A13. Bill Box

Q14. How many public houses/hotels were there in Dersingham before 1920?
A14. Six

Q15. How many borough councillors represent Dersingham?
A15. Two

Q16. In what year was the Dersingham bypass opened?
A16. 1990

Q17. How many chapels did there used to be in the village?
A17. Three

Q18. Where was the Dersingham village rubbish dump before 1948?
A18. On the Shut-up Common, Heath Road

Q19. In 1960 how many garages in Dersingham sold petrol?
A19. Four

Q20. Where was there an auction centre in Dersingham?
A20. The Old Hall

The charity teams included: Heacham Community Transport, Dersingham Army Cadets, Dersingham Brownies, Dersingham Scout Group, Friends of St Nicholas Church, Army Benevolent Fund Soldiers Charity, Dersingham Day Centre, the Royal British Legion and Puddle Ducks Play Group.  However, there could only be one winner and the winning result of an outstanding 14 out of 20 correct answers (I defy anyone to get 100%) was achieved by Puddle Ducks who were awarded the £105 raised from the raffle draw (which seemed to go on forever as there were numerous prize donations from the generous guests).

The July lunch was sponsored by Dersingham Parish Council and they were extremely generous with the food with an ample BBQ of chicken, burgers (of different varieties), copious salad and sumptuous strawberries and cream toppings on meringue or shortcake biscuit bases (just check out the photograph!).   Prior the Butchers helped by pre-cooking the meat to ensure that everything was cooked through.

Appreciation was expressed towards Priors the Butchers, the volunteer cooks and lunch guests for attending.  Dersingham Social Club was also warmly thanked for allowing us use of their facilities which included a large and comfortable main bar area.

Bob Tipling announced that Dersingham Data was currently under revision and requested that all organisations present check their entries for accuracy and advise any changes before 25 August 2011.  Bob also announced the the September Dersingham Community Lunch would be sponsored by Budgens Supermarket with exact date and venue details to be advised at a later date.

For anyone interested in knowing more about Dersingham Social Club their facilities include:

large main bar
smaller lounge bar
beer garden with children’s playground
2 x pool tables
mens/ladies darts
crib
dominoes
snooker (a full size snooker table in a dedicated snooker room available to hire for just £2 per hour)
regular free live entertainment and music for members
family fun days and BBQs
big screen TV for televised events

MEMBERSHIP RATES: Adult single £10 – couple £15 – over 60s £5 – Junior (16-18) £5
Enquiries: 01485 543380 or 07756633043