Dersingham Club celebrates 45 years

A group, founded by local resident Ann Saunders, is still going strong decades later.

As I enter Dersingham Village Hall it’s a hive of activity, there’s crafting, dominoes being played, old photos being reminisced over and lots of talking and laughter. It is a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.

I head over to chat to Win and Pat, who’re making Christmas decorations for a tree at the church opposite - St Nicholas.

“I’m a newbie,” says Pat, “I decided to join for company and friends, I’m 3 weeks in and it’s lovely. It gets you out from your four walls - especially if you live on your own, it’s so nice.”

Winifred adds, “I like the music, we have lots of entertainment, lot of groups come in.” I ask if there's any dancing, “Oh yeah, we do that, they’re all jigging about.”

Dancing last week 

On to the next table, “We’re supposed to be playing dominoes - but we’re talking and looking at photos,” says Geoff. “My fault,” replies David Boston, he looks at one of the volunteers and says, “We’ve got certain areas in common, we both grew up in Yorkshire, so I brought these photographs in.

“This group is the high point of my week to be honest, everybody gets on, we have some interesting musical interludes sometimes - I really look forward to Wednesdays.”

“It breaks the week up doesn't it, and a bit of company, different people to talk to,” adds Geoff.   As they happily chat I remark to another David that he seems to have made some lovely friends, “Oh yes - these are all pretty good.” 

“Pretty good?!” Jokes David Boston, “Fantastic I’d say!”

Ann Saunders, back row, third from the right

Ann Saunders, who sadly passed away in 2022, started the club 45 years ago. Her daughter, Karen, is here today.

“My mum set the club for the older people in the village - which was including my nan. We’d usually come around on a Wednesday after school, me and my sister.

“When I’m not at work I pop in still, it’s a bit of a connection to mum. It’s nice to know that it’s still going all these years on. She absolutely loved it, if there was music she would have been dancing, would have been singing, she was a very social person.”

Before we head for cake to mark the celebrations, I chat to Carrie, “This is a marvellous club, we have a laugh and a joke. I come and I like it and it’s friendly. And we get a meal - and quite a few cups of tea ,” she laughs.

As the 9 volunteers (that make all this possible) gather everyone for a group photo, I meet Maggie, “I’ve been doing this for 20 years, I do it for what I get from it - seeing people enjoy themselves.”

Then glasses are filled and candles are lit and it’s happy faces all around.   Ann Saunders wanted to start this group to give people something to look forward to.  It seems she's achieved that - and more.  What a legacy to leave behind.  

The Club meets each Wednesday from 10.00am to 2.30pm in the Village Centre.