Villagers
Dennis Sherratt 4 November 1930 - 11 November 2009
Dennis was a well-respected and well-liked member of the village. A chararacter who will be sadly missed. At his funeral on 20 November everyone had a tale to tell about Dennis and his sense of humour! Below is his eulogy as read by James Hollingsworth - friend of Dennis:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, today we gather in this wonderful corner of England to celebrate the life of Dennis Sherratt, whose spent his whole life in this area and lived out a fulfilling time amongst his family, friends and the countryside he so dearly loved.
Dennis was born on the 4th November 1930 to Walter and Maggie Sherratt at Alsop Moor; he was the youngest son and brother of Fred, Cathleen, Gordon and Reese. With Fred and Reese predeceasing Dennis. Living at Alsop Moor was a simple life and would have lacked the luxuries that we all take for granted today, along with very long and hard winters. Dennis however enjoyed the freedom of living in the country and was educated at Biggin School and at 14 years old he left to work in Alsop Moor Quarries and Hartshead Quarry. This would be tough work and I guess you can only imagine Dennis as a 14 years old boy quickly becoming man. He travelled about in his spare time on the bus or his bike and got to enjoy dances and local events. He also enjoyed going on the bus to Ashbourne on Saturday afternoons. His favourite shop was Woolworths, but Dennis was not interested in the Pick and Mix, but had discovered another Sweetie at the toffee counter called Betty Hogston. I am not sure how many times Dennis used to go into Woolworths on the pretence of buying something, but one day he summoned up the courage to ask Betty on a date to the Cinema. Betty said no. No doubt he left a bit crestfallen. But Dennis did not give up easily and was quick to seize an opportunity which was to change his life in more ways than one. After Woolworths closed that afternoon Betty and her friend went straight to the Empire Cinema to see the latest film, however it was completely sold out. Betty and her friend were disappointed and about to go home, but on leaving they found Dennis on the cinema steps, grinning no doubt as he had brought the last two tickets, one for him and one for Betty. With Betty’s friend despatched they enjoyed the film and their romance and courtship flourished. 18 months later on the 12th September 1953 Miss Betty Hogston became Mrs Dennis Sherratt at their wedding at Osmaston Church. Married life started with Dennis’s parents at Alsop Moor and quickly Dennis and Betty moved to Biggin to their first home. However, in 1955 a big change occurred when Dennis left the unforgiving environment of the quarries and secured a new job as a gardener at Osmaston Manor which also saw a move from the wilds of Biggin to a cottage in Osmaston. This was a great move for Dennis and he clearly loved his new job and it helped shape his love of gardening and all that is good about life on an English Estate. To work at Osmaston was also a great honour as one of the show gardens of the county, which we can now only sadly look at in old photographs. I have enjoyed many conversations with Dennis about his time there. When Sir Ian Walker-Okeover removed from Osmaston to Okeover Hall, in 1960 Dennis and Betty followed and moved into the newly built luxury of Okeover Cottages; and after 30 years in Derbyshire Dennis left for Staffordshire, but only just of course. Dennis was instrumental with his colleagues in creating the wonderful gardens of Okeover Hall. Dennis went on to complete 40 years of continuous service as gardener to the Walker-Okeover family. This unstinting service was honoured and recognised in July 1995 at the Royal Show when Dennis was presented with the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Medal for long service. This was appropriately presented to Dennis by the then Duchess of Devonshire. Dennis clearly loved gardening and the outdoors and this reward was a fitting tribute to his dedication to his work.
1960 must have been a busy year in the Sherratt household and soon after moving to Okeover another major event happened on the 25th May with the arrival of David. Dennis was clearly of the old school of fatherhood, where Mother took full responsibility and he certainly prescribed to view of children should been seen, or at least sometimes and definitely not heard. However, despite Dennis’s Victorian ways he was a very proud father, although David never did get to truly test the volume of his radio in fear of upsetting his father. In 1988 and much to Dennis’s relief and delight David married Catherine and in 1992 Rachel arrived, followed in 1994 by Emma and in 1996 by Michael. Dennis became a proud grandfather and will be much missed by them. It was through David and Catherine’s marriage that I first got to know Dennis and he clearly loved the wedding day. As ever, but more so than usual he looked very smart in his morning suit. I personally have many happy memories of the fun and laughter we shared with Dennis and his sense of fun on that day, which we often reminisced about when we subsequently met. Many of you here today will have experienced Dennis’s sense of fun, with his often harmless teasing, quirky and perhaps if I dare say it sometimes challenging sense of humour; which I think will be missed.
In addition to his fulltime job as gardener Dennis also enjoyed beating at the annual Estate shoots and also took on additional responsibilities as Water Bailiff on the Okeover Mappleton Stretch of the River Dove. This was a duty in which Dennis excelled and really relished. He spent hours by the River Dove and woe betide anyone who he caught poaching, bathing or doing any other inappropriate act by the River, Dennis was there and every eagled eyed and was often seen on patrol. Through this he became a great friend to the many fishermen and also greatly enjoyed fishing himself. This love and involvement with the River led to him having the honour in 2008 of starting the Mappleton New Years Day Bridge Jump and Boat Race.
Retirement came in November 1995 and the very small move back across the Dove into his native Derbyshire to Park View Mappleton. Any thought of taking it easy were soon forgotten with the establishment of a new garden and extra holidays. It also gave him time to continue with some of his other lifelong interests in the community of Mappleton such as his active membership of the Mappleton Sports and Social Committee where he followed Mappleton in the Summer Football league and for years acted as trainer, dispensing wet sponges and smelling salts to injured players. Dominoes were also a big passion for Dennis and Betty at the Okeover Arms, with their friends Dot, Ken and Jeff. The pub of course has changed many times over the years, but one constant throughout these changes was Dennis with his half pint, window seat, dominoes and healthy banter for the many people he met in there.
I think the amount of people in church today illustrates how Dennis’s life touched many people from all walks of life and all ages.
Dennis was an unassuming man, always smartly turned out and was very contented with his life. He did not like a fuss and alas he bore his recent short illness with great courage and dignity.
He achieved much in a quiet, but assured way; enjoying a wonderful marriage of 56 years, having a job which was a pleasure to do each day and living in the countryside he was born to and so loved.
So in conclusion Ladies and Gentlemen we celebrate the life of our friend Dennis, a good honest man who represented a traditional and dying way of country life; his passing is the end of an era as we all say goodbye to one of life’s real and true characters.
May God bless you Dennis on your way. "