Saturday 24 June 2023
Thank you to those that have already booked tickets. On Saturday 24th June we are hosting a VERY big party, and you are all invited!
Old Denstonians and their guests are welcome from 10:30am for refreshments and chapel service, with the gates open to everyone at midday. Enjoy round-the-world cuisine from our partners at Caterly who will be providing a street food village including everything from fish and chips, to tacos and churros! We also welcome the very popular pop up - Project D donuts.
Throughout the day there will be music and entertainment on the festival stage, finishing off with a live band at 5.30pm. Enjoy fairground rides, garden games, a heritage trail from the Prep, art & literary exhibition, putting competition, and impressive display of classic cars on the main driveway. There will be a fully stocked bar and craft beer van so please do not bring your own alcohol on site. If you would like to take part in the 5k fun run, please bring a change of clothes and take advantage of the showers in Addies Pavillion, leaving you fresh to enjoy the rest of the day!
10:30 - Old Denstonian Breakfast (Tea/Coffee, Pastries)
11:30 - Old Denstonian Chapel Service
12:00 - Doors open to everyone.
12:30 - Fun run.
13:00 - OD afternoon tea. Boys & Girls cricket.
14:30 - Official opening of The Heritage Centre.
4:00 - Chapel service - all.
17:30 - Live entertainment on the festival stage.
Please read on for more information on the various parts of the day. In addition to this, a printed programme will be given out to all guests upon arrival.
Please note that children are the responsibility of their parents on the day. If pupils are taking part in activities such as choir or CCF, please drop them off and collect them from the location as agreed with their teacher.
Due to the number of guests we anticipate on the day, and for the safety of our guests, including young children, we will not be able to park vehicles at College. Parking will be available at nearby JCB Springfield car park where we will be operating a park & ride service from 10am. If you have access requirements and require a permit to park at College then please contact us.
If you have a classic car that you would like to show on the day, please register your vehicle and we will send you a permit that will allow you access to park at College as part of the meet.
The fun run will start from Addies Pavillion at 12:30pm. There will be space to store bags in the pavillion along with shower facilities to use after the event. The fun run is open to everyone and will be chearly marshalled around the route.
If you have any questions about The Big Birthday Party, please contact Charlotte Horan here.
From noon on the 24th June Denstone College will host a street food village from event partner Caterly. Over 15 different vendors will have a variety of sweet and savory foods available.
Two bars will supply a range of alcoholic drinks, ID will be required. Please do not bring your own alcohol onsite due to safeguarding requirements.
Our art department have been busy! In conjunction with The Society of Heads, we have launched our collaborative art exhibition, inviting schools up and down the country to get involved. The themes this year are sustainability and in celebration of our 150 year Birthday, Heritage.
Please head to the Drill Hall on Saturday 24th June to make your mark on our art installation!
Pupils at College and local schools have been invited to submit a piece of writing or art using any media, exploring the theme of Heritage. Submissions will be displayed on the day in The Threlfall Library. The library will be open from 12-4pm, please do pop in to see a range of pieces from some very talented pupils.
We have a number of limited edition items for sale in celebration of our Big Birthday. These include;
All items will be available to purchase from Café 1873 & The Heritage Centre on Saturday 24th June.
Desiree Cumberbatch a Staffordshire based Podiatrist began her new career as an Artist in 2020 following retirement from the NHS after 34 years of service. She was thus able to seize the opportunity to pursue her passion in Art.
She joined two art groups in Staffordshire (one in Newcastle- Under- Lyme and one in Swynnerton village) where she was able to gain ideas and inspiration from other experienced artists. She soon found the ability to paint with accurate values as a means of portraying the world around her in a realistic way and this thereafter became her favored style of painting. She now specializes in portrait, landscape and architectural art whilst enjoying the challenges of perfecting her style.
Her aim is to inspire others in order that they too might discover the soporific value and feeling of tranquility in such a high - speed world which painting truly has to offer.
As a tribute to Denstone College and all those affiliated and to mark its 150th Anniversary Desiree has painted a portrait of the school and developed 150 high quality limited edition prints (unframed) which are signed and certificated for authenticity. These can be ordered in advance of the Big Birthday Event in June and also purchased from the new Heritage Centre on the day, 25 % of the proceeds will be donated to The Denstone Foundation. Cellophane wrapped (left blank inside) greetings cards of the painting can also be purchased including other memorabilia.
by Artist Desiree Cumberbatch.
