Debenham Village Hall &
Playing Field Trust & 9.15 Debenham Leisure Centre
On the sporting front DLC continues to offer a wide
variety of sports for all ages and abilities.
The football club based at the Centre currently offers
organised football from ages 7 through to adults playing at eastern counties
level, (2 adult, 15 youth inc 3 girls teams).
We continue to host several County and inter-league
matches in Football, Badminton & Bowls and are regularly congratulated on
our fine facilities and level of hospitality from our visitors.
DLC is the home base of Debenham and Deben Vale
Badminton Clubs, Debenham Bowls Club, Debenham Karate Club, Debenham Bridge
Club, Debenham Squash Club and the
We continue to run an extensive programme of Exercise,
Dance & Yoga classes for adults, along with an Art Club, Carpet Bowls Club,
Scottish Country and Tap Dancing classes.
We offer regular coaching sessions for children in,
Football, Tennis, Hockey, Cricket, Gymnastics, Squash, Basketball, Kick-Boxing,
Trampolining, Dance, Badminton, Netball and now in association with ‘Polka
Dots’ a Drama and Performing Arts Club.
We also deliver an extensive Summer Holiday Programme
with a wide range of activities from just play to County standard coaching.
The Community Centre continues to flourish and is
booked most weekends for events and every weeknight for activities/clubs
etc. Over the past 12 months we have had
a variety of hirers, from private bookings for weddings and parties to
corporate events and conferences. We are pleased to be the home of M.C.F every
Sunday morning, M.C.F. bring over 300 visitors to the Centre.
The community centre lists amongst its regular users
Debenham Young Farmers, the Women’s Institute, Cinema Club, Dance East, Suffolk
Farm Machinery Club, Debenham Players, Eastern Angles, Bury Theatre Royal,
Wingfield Arts, Suffolk Primary Care Trust to name but a few. All these hirers
have benefited and enjoyed the recent enhancements made to the Centre thanks to
the Market towns initiative Fund. Once again we have been able to support the
Primary School, High School,
One of the major DLC events is the Country Music
Festival and Caravan Rally. This, once
again, was fully booked and brought in around 500 people to the village for 5
days, this not only helps the Leisure Centre financially but these visitors
also support all the other businesses in the village.
Our 2nd annual Music Fest was a great
success and the 3rd is now planned for July.
Last November saw us host the 8th Bonfire &
Firework Spectacular with an estimated 900 visitors to this free event, which
is only made possible due to the generous donations by local companies and
organisations and the voluntary efforts of a number villagers.
The DLC remains grateful to Mid Suffolk District
Council for the annual revenue funding received, despite this gesture we still
find it very difficult financially.
DLC enjoys an average 2800 visitors per week for Sport
and Leisure and the Deben Lounge has become a favourite social meeting place
for many people.
This year has seen the opening of the
Multi-Use-Games-Area (M.U.G.A) at the High School which we are pleased to manage
for them.
We currently employ 3 full time members of staff as
well as 20 part time staff working from 3 to16 hours per week in varying roles
including cleaning, bar work and coaching.
Of our current 23 employees 17 live in the parish of Debenham, 6 are
currently students whilst 7 are mothers that have returned to work.
If anyone would like to discuss any of the activities
at DLC or like to offer any suggestions or advice please do not hesitate to
contact me at the Leisure Centre, the reception is open 9.15am – 9.00pm, Mon –
Fri and 9.15am – 1.00pm at weekends.
Mel Aldis
Centre Manager