Denmans Lane Dash

Don't miss Lindfield's 'Denmans Lane Dash' this Boxing Day - 2021

By Ray Gower

After Halloween and a fantastic bonfire night here in Lindfield, it is now time to look forward to the next special day in the event calendar. We are delighted to announce that the Denmans Lane Dash will be back in full swing this Boxing Day!

We will be following the same format as previous years - meeting as usual in the Stand Up at midday for the race to start at 1pm. Everyone in festive or fancy dress, we will be running a ladies’ race and a men’s race. There will also be a prize for best fancy dress. Sadly, we do require competitors to be over 18.

This great event has given us an opportunity to raise money for a charity and this year I have chosen what I think is a very worthy cause. It has been a horrible time over the last 18 months. We have all been hit by this awful pandemic but some more than others, and I wanted to help those people who have been hardest hit. So, this year we’ll be raising funds for the wonderful Bentswood Hub Food Bank.

The Denmans Lane Dash has a Facebook page and we will be posting all the information for this year’s event on there. We will also be putting the information up in the Stand Up. We are also looking to set up a JustGiving page at the beginning of December to start raising money for food bank. We really hope we can raise a good amount of funds to help support the Food Bank. The amazing Brett Hudson has kindly produced our poster this year. He has also produced a black and white version for colouring in which we will sell for 50p. These can be purchased from the Stand Up. We are very excited to be able to bring this fun event back to the Lindfield calendar.

Denmans Lane Dash, Lindfield - 2019

Denmans Lane Dash

Denmans Lane Dash

The fifth annual Denmans Lane Dash will once again bring festive fun to Lindfield High Street on Boxing Day.

The popular event sees villagers dashing from the Stand Up, along Denmans Lane and back again, half pints in hand. The winners are those finishing in the top six with the most beer left in the glass.

The first Dash was held back in 2015 by Denmans Lane resident Ray Gower as an idea to brighten up Boxing Day for family and friends. Since then the event has grown way beyond Ray’s wildest expectations, attracting around 50 revellers, many in full fancy dress!

The event has also raised hundreds of pounds for charities, including the Sussex Heart Charity chosen by Ray last year after he underwent a triple heart bypass operation. This year money will be donated to the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

To join the Dash, get along to the Stand Up from midday on 26th December. The race will start at 1pm.

For up to date information search for Denmans Lane Dash on Facebook.

Festive fun with the Denmans Lane Dash!

Denmans Lane Dash Poster 2018

Denmans Lane Dash Poster 2018

The Denmans Lane Dash is back again this Boxing Day. Started by Lindfield resident Ray Gower in 2015, the race sees villagers dashing from the Stand Up along Denmans Lane and back, half pints in hand! The winner is the person finishing in the top six with the most beer left in the glass!

Ray hopes to get between 50-60 competitors this year, as the annual bit of fun gains popularity each Christmas. There will be two winners as he promises to separate ladies and gents results.

Ray explains: “As ever it is mandatory to wear fancy dress or a Christmas jumper. I will also be posting up ‘official’ rules on the Facebook page in due course.”

Ray, who had a triple bypass operation this summer, is also hoping that the 2018 event will raise money for Sussex Heart Charity.

This year Lindfield artist and previous Dash competitor Leesa Le May has drawn the promotional poster for the festive event. Participants meet at The Stand Up Inn from midday on 26th December, with the race starting at 1pm.

Denmans Lane Dash 2017 - photo round-up

Denmans Lane Dash

By Ray Gower

I was quite overwhelmed on Boxing Day by the number of people who turned up to compete and watch the third Denmans Lane Dash. I was hoping for a few more competitors this year but we doubled it. I was genuinely blown away.

I was also impressed by the entrants who made a great effort with their fancy dress. 

They got into the spirit of what the Denmans Lane Dash is and that is purely a fun event to give the local community something to do for an hour or two on Boxing Day. 

I set the Dash up to give my friends and family a laugh and to get out of the house. I then thought it would be nice to open it up to the local community. This year proved that it is something people want, based on the wonderful compliments I received. 

We were lucky with the weather again this year. The rain held off until just after the run when people had returned home.

It was a great race with more ladies taking part this year which was wonderful to see.

[See the full story on page 6, February 2018 Lindfield Life]