| 27th January 2018 | Updated 2017 page to feature in date order. |
March Danbury Society Talk.
Thursday, 23rd March at 8.00pm in the Danbury Sports and Social Centre.
It was an illustrated talk given by Linda Holdaway about the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Most of the audience were quite astonished to realise how much NGS raises for charity each year: half a £million to Macmillan, half a £million to Marie Curie, quarter of a £million to Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) and many more totalling an amzing £2.7 million in 2016.
It was the QNI that triggered the creation of the NGS back in 1927. The QNI itself could trace its origins back to the middle of the 19th century providing nurses to help people who needed care in their own homes. It gained Royal and aristocratic patronage very early. It was the death of Queen Alexandra that prompted a special appeal. It was suggested that those with notable gardens opened them to the public for one day a year, charging one shilling entry. From this sprang the NGS that now involves 3,800 gardens, all listed in the Yellow Book.
Linda's presentation was very professional. She also showed pictures of notable gardens in Essex including our two local ones, Furzelea in Danbury and Elwy Lodge in Woodham Walter. The first one she showed. however, was a real eye-opener. It was Barnards Farm at West Horndon. No one seemed to have heard of it yet it has wonderful gardens, stream and ponds, statuary and quirky art. It is on the A128 south of Brentwood.
Furzelea in Danbury
Elwes-Lodge in Woodham Walter
It was a great start to the Society 50th anniversary year.
See the Danbury Society Golden Jubilee Party on 16th July at Furzelea.
Danbury Society Quiz.
Saturday, 8th April at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre.
A General Knowledge Quiz by Mike Simmons.
Danbury Society’s annual quiz was held on the evening of Grand National Day. There were 9 teams with over fifty people taking part. Questions were set by Mike Simons whose day job is running Maldon Chocolates, the exclusive chocolate shop in Wenlock Way, Maldon.
At the end of the evening the winning team was ‘One for Arthur’ a team name copied from the
winner of the Grand National, earlier in the day. An auspicious choice for the team galloped
home about a length ahead of the runners up: 95 versus 93½ points.
Team Captain Paul Weston collected the winners’ prize of wine from Society Chairman, Norman Bartlett.
Drinks were obtained from the Bar.
A very successful Quiz - thanks to all involved.
The Danbury Society Visit.
Thursday, 11th May at 6.45pm at Chelmsford Museum and Essex Regiment Museum. Oaklands Museum, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9AQ.
A party of 25 persons will be taken on an exclusive guided tour conducted by the Curator, Dr Mark Curteis.
There will be a small charge of £4 per person for this exclusive event.
To book a place, please call 01245 225649.
The Danbury Society Guided Walk.
Thursday, 22nd June at Maldon.
The Society organised a walk on the evening of Thursday 22 June led by renowned local historian Stuart Nunn.
The group was limited to twenty. The guided walk started at 7.15 pm on a hot evening. It was taken at a steady pace with a real local expert giving the background to the interesting features on the Maldon waterfront.
Danbury Society Golden Jubilee Garden Party.
This was held on Sunday 16th July at Furzelea, Bicknacre Road, Danbury. CM3 4JR.
To mark the Society's Golden Jubilee a garden party was held at the home of Roger and Avril Cole-Jones. The temperature was 25 c with soft white clouds and although it looked a little like raining - it didnt.
Forgetting all the stress and turmoil of village development, village traffic and all the rest a pleasent number put on their best informal hot weather clothes and enjoyed looking over a lovely garden.
Bob Booker at his desk assisting people at Furzelea.
Tea, coffee, cakes and scones were provided in plenty.
Thank you Roger and Avril and the Committee and Helpers of the Danbury Society.
The 45th Annual Art Exhibition.
This was held at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre , Eve's Corner on Friday 25th, Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August.
The Exibition featured displays of original works by renowned Essex Artists covering many topics and in a range of media.
There was also special exhibits from our three local schools.
An Artist-in-Residence gave demonstartions to visitors - visitors also practiced their own drawing skills.
Admission was free but a lovely catalogue could be purchased for £1.00. There was the usual famous Raffle. Refreshments and drinks were obtained on the site upstairs.
Danbury Annual Art Exhibition provides the platform for the most significant social occasion in the village year. Furthermore, any proceeds go to the charitable funds used for Danbury Society's objects: enriching village life, preserving the character of village and surrounding countryside, and supporting village groups.
On Friday the Exhibition was opened by Stuart Berlyn, Chairman of the Danbury Parish Council.
On Saturday, Helen Rubenstein demonstrated Acrylic painting techniques and answering questions from 10.00 to 13.00.
On Sunday, Pauline Grove, a floral Artist demonstrated Watercolour painting techniques and answered questions.
A Danbury Society Local Walk.
Sunday, 10th September at 11am and 3pm starting at Eves Corner Danbury.
The National Heritage Days are marked throughout the Country every September.
This year your Society's Chairman will be leading two walks around the Village to highlight buildings and features that contribute to Danbury's own heritage.
There will be no charge for this event. Please be equipped with good walking shoes.
Prestige Talk by Lord Petre.
This was held on Thursday 21st September at 8pm at the Danbury Sports and Social Centre , Eve's Corner.
He talked about the role of Lord Lieutenant and his own experiences when he held that office which ended this summer.
Lord Petre was an amusing and entertaining speaker.
Lord Petre.
Photo by Norman Bartlett
Thank you Lord Petre for an entertaining evening.
After he spoke there was provided free tea, coffee and biscuits for all.
It was an interesting meeting for all Society Members and their guests.
The Danbury Society AGM.
Thursday, 23rd November in The Danbury Sports and Social Centre.
Chairman Norman welcomed the 30 or so Members to the AGM on this quite cold evening.
The AGM Top Table - Bob Booker, Treasurer - Norman Bartlett, Chairman - John Deamer, Vice Chairman.
Wine organiser, John Collier looking on.
Photos by John Bowen
Apologises for Absence led to the Chairman's Report. He said he had hoped to mark the 50th anniversary of the Society – as agreed at last year’s AGM - with something of village fixture. A suitable site at the new garden by the sports field was vetoed by the Environment committee as unsuitable. In fact the expense avoided may well be needed for another matter.
Instead the Jubilee Year was marked with a very pleasant garden party, thanks to Avril and Roger Cole Jones and there was a Commemorative Newsletterissued too.
The village is facing renewed threats from land promoters and he mentioned specifically the fields between Runsell Lane and Maldon Road. Tyndales Farm may also be targeted and there is the potential Hammonds Farm new village to consider. The Society works well with Hands Off Danbury (HOD), on fighting these developments that are opposed by most village residents.
He thanked the two dozen distributors who delivered the year’s three Newsletters.
The Society had organised three talks, a visit and special study tour.
For the first time, the Society took part in the National Heritage Days in September
that drew visitors from outside the village.
The Annual Art Show is now an Arts Festival because of the extra features included. The event
is the premier cultural event of the village.
He thanked all the Trustees for their support during the year.
As required by the rules, he would step down as Chairman after 3 years in post.
The Treasurer Reported a sound financial situation for 2017 with an excess of income over expenses. The Society had cash balances of over £9,000. The Chairman requested that in view of the threat of the land developers, it may be necessary to support the City Council and in association with HOD to engage lawyers. He requested the AGM to approve the possible expenditure of up to £1,500. The meeting agreed.
There was only one nomination for Chairman when it came to elect Officers. John Deamer was
agreed by the Members as the new Chairman who took over at the end of the meeting. The Honorary
Treasurer, Bob Booker was re-appointed but there was no nomination for Honorary Secretary. Mandy
Hessing felt obliged to resign from the Committee because of other commitments. The other
Members - Glad Deamer, Roger Cole Jones, Chandra Pyne and Mark Scofield - were content to continue.
The two vacancies on the Committee were filled by Henry Clacy and Norman Bartlett. The
Meeting confirmed the appointments. .
After "Any Other Business" and Question Time the Chairman closed the AGM.
The meeting was then passed to Dr Michael Tubbs who gave a very interesting presentation
on
"The Golden Age of English Water Colour".
Dr Michael Tubbs.
Outline of Michael with an introductory slide.
A slide of a modern painting of Scarecrows which Michael enjoys.
Norman thanked Michael for his lovely presentation and then invited everyone to sample the Cheese, Biscuits and Wine with the Committee.
Photograph of the Meeting enjoying the refreshments.
A very good Evening - thanks to Dr Tubbs and his Wife for operating the Laptop.
Carols Around the Christmas Tree at Eves Corner
This was held on a Wednesday in December 2017.
The annual Carol Service around the Christmas Tree on the village green usually has a Silver Band to provide the music. There will be powerful flood lights to help read the song sheets more easily since the power pillar was erected.
For many years, the Danbury Society organised the Christmas Tree and associated works but since various Regulations came along amateur help is frowned on. The Society would like to thank the Parish Council for taking on the task of providing the tree and to others who make the "Carols Around the Tree" so popular.
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Aims of The Danbury Society
To involve the residents of Danbury in interests and
pursuits to enrich village life.
To ensure that changes in the Village are undertaken with sensitivity
to the character of Danbury.
To protect the natural beauty of the local landscape and to promote
its maintenance and care.
To Work for the preservation and protection of buildings and features
of interest in Danbury.
To promote the general charitable benefit of the inhabitants of
the Danbury area by provision of such financial and/or material
benefit as the Trustees for the time being shall determine.
The Danbury Society supports the Village
As part of its Charitable Objects, the Danbury Society makes grants to village activities and organisations of all kinds. Since its formation in 1967, the Society has donated many thousands of pounds ranging from improvements at Eves Corner, refurbishing the Village Hall, restoration of the Grade 1 listed Parish Church to helping out with youth organisations.
The Danbury Society publish a Newsletter every 4 months. This is available to paid-up Members
Contact Information
The Danbury Society Web Site Address is:-
http://www.danburysociety.org.uk
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Copyright (c) John Bowen 2018