Memory Book: Denton House, the Parton Era

DENTON HOUSE: THE PARTON ERA 1997 - 2022

FOREWORD Dear Mum & Dad, It gives me great pleasure to present this summary of your time in charge of Denton House.

Aware that you didn’t want any “fuss” made over your departure, I couldn’t let you leave without marking your remarkable tenure as Housemasters in some way. I hope you enjoy reading through the memories, and seeing the faces, that have defined the last quarter of a century at 7 Burton Walks, as they reminisce on the countless minibus trips, wide games, sports hall visits, birthday cakes, Christmas dinners and much more.

My earliest memory of Denton House is the day we moved in, and quickly back out again, as my two-year-old brother John set our new kitchen on fire.

Thankfully, that was the closest we came to destroying the house, and your successors are inheriting a world class, award-winning facility that has (and will continue to) safely house hundreds of boarders from across the globe.

I would also like to highlight that, while acting as full-time legal guardians for dozens of boarders, you never once neglected your two sons, ever-present on the sidelines of football pitches, the front row of music recitals, the desks where we struggled with homework and at our bedside during spells of illness. The more I reflect on our family’s time in Denton, the more amazed I become at your tireless dedication to your job as teachers, carers and parents.

I hope, as you read the collection of memories within this book, you can take a moment to sit back and reflect on a job well done. I couldn’t be prouder.

With endless love and thanks, Joe Parton

WHERE IT BEGAN… It was a fearful trio that gathered in the Denton Common Room. Mr Roberts, famed for his expositions on East Transepts and Synagogues in first form RE lessons, but as yet unheard of in boarding circles. Mr McMorran, a genius with a mouse in his hand, but a mere rookie when it comes to lights out in the top dorm. And me. Biology teacher - definitely; First Year Evening producer - most certainly; Boarding Housemaster - ask me at half-term. And so it was that we, a formidable, if clueless team welcomed our charges at the start of term and hoped for the best.

Now it is said that any good Boarding House needs good Prefects, devoted sixth formers who set the highest possible standards and who will sweat blood in their quest to support their Housemasters. I got Andrew Fowlston, alias Dopey. Wit, raconteur, Hovercraft technician, P Block door thief; Dopey set new standards in untidiness - he didn't actually see his carpet for six months, and by Christmas the cleaners had declared his room a 'Hard Hat' area. In Will Brindley and Rob Allison I had the perfect double act: the Kray Twins, Laurel and Hardy, Pinky and Perky. Many's the erring boarder we have corrected this year, many's the late night mucky curry we have shared - a more loyal and eccentric trio you will not find.

But what of the boarders themselves, all apples in their parents' eyes? The dorms have echoed to the ceaseless chatter of Runil (the nice, quiet boarder); punctuated occasionally by Ernie's characteristic cackle. Alex Betts, the intellectual boarder; Clifford Wan, the clean boarder; Daniel Watts, the sporty boarder; and Matthew Yuen, the boarder whose boundless enthusiasm for all aspects of school life knows no bounds. After Christmas our ranks were swollen by several new arrivals: Rohan, the musical boarder; Brian the hard-working boarder, and Tom the boarder with the mysterious digestive disorder aggravated by contact with a cold duvet. Of course there are more: Sam Dods arrived with an N64, Jack Charlesworth brought a welcome breath of IKEA into the top dorm. Christopher Hamley made the biggest impact of all when he brought his brother, Jonathan Hamley: small in stature but immense in voice, Will's 'ickle’ shadow, the Denton House roller-blading maestro (until he falls off). These are our boarders to a man a source of endless noise, smells and sheer good fun.

On the subject of fun, together we have enjoyed a bewildering variety of house activities and outings this year. The Autumn Term highlights included tobogganing, the American Adventure, Laser Quest, Premiership football, Nottingham Goose Fair, karting and ice skating - a veritable plethora of entertainment. Not to be out-done, the Spring Term bulged at its extra-curricular seams with horse riding, archery, Alton Towers, golf and a Pantomime. Exhausted? If so avoid the Summer Term's programme which boasted punting on the River Cam (without falling in), cycling around Rutland Water (without falling off), a trip to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, a day on a canal boat and yet more horse riding! In addition to all this adrenaline, Denton has proved itself to be more than capable of providing its own in-house frivolity. On a rainy 5th of November, Dopey, resplendent in full combat dress, spent a nail-biting and largely unsuccessful hour attempting to light a high quality selection of damp fireworks, much to the delight of the assembled crowd. Early in the Summer Term we enjoyed a most eventful night-hike, during which we were only chased by a herd of bulls once; while at the end of the term we said farewell to Matron with a barbecue at which an enormous quantity of sausages and beefburgers were consumed by all except Matron, who is a vegetarian.

Without doubt the highlight of the year has been the full refurbishment of the two main dormitories. The new, purpose-built furniture has transformed the sleeping areas, giving the boarders both more privacy and, for the first time ever, their own workspace. Add to this the ongoing modernisation of the Games Room, shower area and TV room; and the reader will understand why the Denton boarders are becoming increasingly proud of their humble little home.

So the year draws gracefully to its close, and I have put the last boarder on a train, loaded the last suitcase into a boot, extracted the last mouldy grape from a Tuck Box. What are our concluding thoughts on this first year? Have we enjoyed it? Not half.

J. S. Parton – The Loughburian, 1998.

CLIFFORD WAN I started at Denton in 1996 and witnessed the changing of the guards from the Cox family to the Parton family.

My fondest memories are the weekend trips to football games and laser quests. I vividly remember the excitement the boys and I felt and, more so when it was a Wolves game, the sheer excitement felt by Mr Parton.

Now that I have a young family myself, I had come to appreciate the personal sacrifices Mr Parton made for the well being of the children under his care, considering when he first joined Denton, he too had a young family.

My less fond memory is when I thought it was cool to shoot my then arch-enemy with my BB gun in the cover of darkness from my bedroom window. After the hit, I stashed my weapon in what I thought was the best hiding place ever, above my cupboard. Naturally, Mr Parton was not impressed, but I remember him talking to me with respect like an adult in a calm and cool manner. He gave me an ultimatum, either I surrender my arms, or he will find it himself, and if he did manage to find my stashed weapon, there would be significant consequences. I thought long and hard and decided to yield and duly surrendered my arms. To this day, I do not know if he was calling my bluff, but due to the grace of his mercy, I was not suspended or expelled but had a good telling off.

I have to admit that when I was a teenager, I was not too fond of Mr Parton. Now that I am older, I realised that Mr Parton is a hero because he stood up to bullies, he stood for the little ones by having a zero-tolerance for bullying and as much as I hate to admit it, I was a bully.

I never did say thank you to Mr Parton and his family, so I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your care and guidance. You have impacted my life in a meaningful way, and now, with circa 5,000 students under my care, I hope I can pass some of the values you imparted in me to the next generation.

Clifford is now CEO of Babington Education, one of Hong Kong’s largest English language learning centres.

MAYUR MANDALIA

It is crazy to think that it has been 22 years since I first set foot in Denton House, back in 2000. I recall the immediate feeling of being warmly welcomed by Mr and Mrs Parton as I settled into my bunk bed, said goodbye to my parents, and started a new adventure at LGS. Over the three years I spent at Denton, I remember most the homely atmosphere created by them both - it really was a home away from home. Their kindness, understanding and generosity was constant, and they played a big part in instilling the right values and principles to many, including myself.

I fondly recall the countless weekend trips with Mr Parton, him allowing me to steer the minibus around campus, him making fun of how loudly I used to play the piano in his study, and Mrs Parton's warm smile and comforting approach to literally everything. I thank them for a wonderful experience in Denton House and congratulate them for such an amazing achievement.

I hope they know of the immeasurable impact they have made to LGS boarding and hope finally they can get some peace and quiet!

Mayur is now a Technical Officer for the World Health Organisation based in Ethiopia.

KEMO MARRIOTT Dear Mr & Mrs Parton, I’m so grateful to the two of you for literally saving my life. I really mean that. If it wasn’t for you fighting for me to stay in Denton and at Loughborough Grammar School, I fear to think what direction my life would have proceeded. Your belief that I could achieve something with my life, with the right support system, and then going above and beyond to provide it, is simply amazing.

I know I wasn’t the easiest teenager to deal with. I lose count how many times I ended up in your study for a well-deserved telling off. But again, you supported me when most wouldn’t have done so. I of course have very fond memories of my time in Denton: McDonalds on a Friday, cinema trips, trips to Pleasure Beach and highly-charged board games with the likes of Chris, Temi, Aaron, John and Henry. Good times.

Thank you so much for going above and beyond in helping me to find my way in life. You’re both incredibly amazing people and I wish you the very best as you move into, what I hope will be, a quieter and more relaxed home.

All the very best and with love, Kemo.

Kemo is now a Personal Trainer living in Bangkok, Thailand, and has his own clothing brand.

LUKE DORIAN Thank you, Mr and Mrs Parton, for your patience, dedication and care over 25 years as housemasters. It’s the end of an era for Denton boarders.

My first experience of Denton was by accident. I missed the school bus home and was escorted to the house to wait for my annoyed mum to pick me up. The boarders welcomed me with open arms. After several rounds of pool and banter I was glad I missed the bus and didn’t want to go home!

A few months later I became a weekly boarder and loved nearly every minute of it. Evening football games at the Sports Hall, trips to Laserquest at the weekend, pizza nights on birthdays and special occasions… and a (mostly!) calm and quiet environment to study and prepare for school. I made friends for life and memories I’ll never forget at Denton.

It can’t be easy sharing your family home with a rabble of hormonal and troublesome young boys. But I always felt safe, valued, and cared for in what quickly became a home away from home for me and so many others. Denton is a special place and I know it won’t be the same without you both. I hope you enjoy some extremely well-earned rest and recuperation in your retirement. Best wishes and grateful thanks.

Luke still lives in the East Midlands and works for the Conservative Party.

JAKE DORIAN It’s been over 20 years since I first arrived at Denton as a nervous ten-year-old. It wasn’t the easiest three and a half years of my life due to suffering with tremendous homesickness at that age, however I still have many fond memories of my time at Denton. These include playing football with everyone in the sports hall and on the fields, the many "wide games" after prep, playing "Yu-gi-oh" and Pokémon after school to pass time, and a paintballing trip organised by Mr Parton. Denton is where I also first discovered my love for cross county, going running in the cross-country club after school and running round the school grounds to help me unwind, a hobby I rediscovered a love for in recent times.

Particularly fond memories from this time include Mr Parton taking me to watch my beloved Derby County when my parents were away and being sat in the living room excitedly watching Wiltord score a late winner to win the title for Arsenal at Old Trafford back in 2002. Not such a fond memory was the attack of September 11th taking place just days after I joined the “Ten Plus”, spending hours watching what unfolded with Mrs Parton next to me, a grim day but something that I remembered vividly ever since and always think back on every anniversary.

Looking back at this time in my life I only wish I hadn’t been so homesick and anxious and had been able to make more of this experience of boarding, but I still feel it stood me in good stead for many things I’ve been through in my life since. Despite feeling sad at the time, it’s something I have looked back fondly on over time and LGS generally is an institution I greatly respect. Thank you to both of you for your input in my life. Good luck and enjoy your retirement.

Jake is now a public speaker for True Life Conferences, a keen long-distance runner and remains a long-suffering Derby County fan.

DANIEL GRECO Mr & Mrs Parton played an integral part in my upbringing and supported me through what was a difficult period as a young adult.

I will never forget the kindness, solidarity and loyalty that Mr Parton showed when my family informed him that they had to take me out of School for financial reasons. I have since learnt that Jeremy was integral in me obtaining a scholarship that meant I could stay at LGS, even though I was not boarding at the time. I was somewhat too young to understand and appreciate how important this was for me at that point in time, but I often reflect on this moment and appreciate how lucky I was to be afforded this opportunity and how it has subsequently shaped me as a person.

I still have one of the Denton house photos in my dining room (looking like a speccy 12 year old…!) and whilst it's embarrassing in a superficial way, on a personal level it reminds me of what fond memories I have of Denton in particular.

Wishing Mr & Mrs Parton all the best for their future outside of Denton House.

Daniel is now working at a Global Educational Partnerships Officer at the University of Leicester.

MAX POTTER

I have such fond memories of Denton House and of course Mr & Mrs Parton. They were a fantastic couple and a great pair to look after a large group of unruly boys.

Mr Parton would always want the best for us whether it was on the sports field or academically. I thoroughly enjoyed boarders football in the sports hall which would have descended into complete chaos without Mr Parton's refereeing. I do wonder if anyone ever left Denton a Wolves fan, apart from his sons who had no other option! He’s definitely one of their top fans.

Mrs Parton was incredibly kind hearted and you’d probably rather be in trouble with her (no offence Mr Parton). The one thing I couldn’t believe was that Mrs Parton knew exactly who was going past her kitchen by the way they ran up and down the stairs. She was the motherly figure with the mammoth task of looking after 20+ boys, and she always did a wonderful job.

I wish them the best for the future and thank them for looking after me and being a big part of my time as a boarder at LGS. Max is now a Foreign Exchange Dealer living in London. His younger brother, Alex, also spent time living in Denton.

AARON COLE Having left Denton House in 2004, memories are fading but I will remember a few: -

- Meeting Mr Parton and thinking he was loud and a giant!

- Friday night takeaways and going to Blockbuster to choose a film.

- The weekend trips.

- Mr Parton’s eclectic music choices!

I am a Major in the British Army currently serving in Sennelager, Germany. I have deployed twice on operations overseas and have spent lots of time away from home; being a boarder helped develop my team spirit and resilience. To the teachers, house parents and friends, I am grateful.

Thanks for everything and all the best for the future!

Aaron and his younger brothers, Nathan and Jordan, were all boarders in Denton House.

RAYMOND CHENG I have always been able to look back at my six years in Denton House with a smile, and I have Mr & Mrs P to thank for that! While my time at the school feels somewhat distant in the past, the way in which the Partons went the extra mile to look after the boarders remain very much fresh in my memory.

Life was never monotonous at Denton, there was always something in store for us. Instead of just leaving us to lounge around and play computer games, Mr P and his team would take us to places, both nearby and further afield, for all sorts of activities. Cliché as it might sound, but these experiences really broadened my horizon and benefitted me in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then. My personal favourite of all time was a trip to Criccieth in North Wales.

I have to express my gratitude to Mr P for making me house prefect – it was a great opportunity for personal growth in my teenage years. We had this great camaraderie and worked brilliantly as a team, with plenty of joyous memories to reflect upon. The fact that I would still visit Denton House once a year (pre-Covid) is a testament to what a decent relationship we have had all these years.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs P for always being such a caring and lovely person, who always had plenty of wisdom to share. Did I mention the cakes? Oh the cakes! Honestly I can’t think of a single person who would be kind-hearted enough like Mrs P to go out of their way to make birthday cakes for boarders!

If I were to give this as a speech I would’ve asked for a standing ovation for both Mr & Mrs P for all the personal sacrifices they have made for Denton House over the decades. I sincerely hope they can march proudly into happy retirement from Denton, safe in the knowledge that their efforts have been appreciated by many.

Enjoy your Denton retirement Mr & Mrs P, I’ll be sure to drop by and say hello soon!

Raymond now lives in Hong Kong and is a First Officer for Cathay Pacific Airlines, the career he dreamt of while in Denton.

ALFRED SOU Being 6000 miles away from home was never easy but Mr. & Mrs. Parton certainly made Denton feel like another home for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. and Mrs. Parton, who always went above and beyond for all the Denton boys and I am really glad that I was lucky enough to stay in Denton for as long as possible.

To this day, I still miss the good banter during the curry nights with Mr. Parton, Mr. Gacs and the other prefects and all the long chats with Mrs. Parton which helped cheer me up when I was feeling down. There are way too many other highlights from the countless trips and weekend activities to even get started here.

I’m eternally grateful for all the Partons have done over the years and their invaluable life lessons. I’m sure all my fellow Denton boys would feel the same way. We definitely wouldn’t be who we are without them and the happy memories of Denton life will always be held dearly to our hearts.

I sincerely wish Mr. and Mrs. Parton a joyous retirement!

Alfred lives in Hong Kong and works as a Certified Public Accountant.

MELVIN NG

I stayed in Denton House throughout my whole high school life. It was memorable and wonderful time to live in Denton House (the good old days!).

Mr. and Mrs. P have been very kind and caring and have always put their heart into looking after the boarders. I still remember all kind of fun activities that we did during weekends (and roller-coasters are still not my thing haha). The Partons always try their best to improve the living environment of the boarders and took really good care of us, making it a very home-like environment to live in. Mrs. P is as always very friendly and approachable and supportive. Mr. P solves all the issues for all the boarders and spends substantial amount of effort to improve Denton House from time to time.

I still miss our regular curry night (and I still sweat a lot when I eat spicy food haha). I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Mr. and Mrs. P for the time and effort they have put into supporting and looking after us during our school life in Denton House and I wish them all the best!

Melvin and his brother Eric, who also boarded in Denton, now both live in Hong Kong.

KWAKU ANING Dear Jeremy and Sarah, First of all, 25 years, wow what an amazing achievement! I want to send you my deep thanks and gratitude for all you have done for the numerous boys you’ve looked after over the years.

You made what would have been a very scary and new experience for many, feel like home and as if we were a part of your family. If I had to write down all my favourite memories I fear we would be here for hours so please find a few of my favourites below: - Firstly, the warmth and generosity of your whole family, including Joe and John, who have grown into fine young men - The motherly care and intelligence Mrs Parton brought to the boarding house - Our various weekend trips with Mr Parton; including safaris, ice skating, sledging, canoeing, going to the football, go-karting etc!

- Our Friday night takeaways were always a massive highlight - Debating football and life with Mr Parton and the rest of the boys - Sports hall and football on the field (although I didn’t always agree with all of Mr Parton’s refereeing decisions!)

- Mr Parton pleading with my mum to allow me to relax with friends in town after school - The pastoral support and guidance you gave me as I attempted to catch up on my studies in my first year Once again, thanks so much for all you have done – you’re both an absolute credit to yourself, your family and LGS, and I wish you all the happiness in the world as you embark on your new journey.

Kwaku now lives in London and works for FTI Consulting. He also plays semiprofessional football for Tring Corinthians.

CHRISTOPHE RIDLEY Dear Jeremy & Sarah, I'm delighted to finally have a real opportunity to thank you for the life-changing support you both gave me during my time at LGS. School was a difficult time for me academically and I'm aware I was a proper “so & so” at times…! But your wonderful patience and tolerance allowed me to survive the difficult transition into the boarding community. The experiences I have from Denton will be something I treasure forever. Denton was home for me and that’s because of the warm and fun environment you both created. Denton house was my family.

A few favourite memories:

-

- Copying Joe's maths homework (I'm certain you both knew that books were being passed from your private quarters over to me!)

- The Focus ST playing absolute 'Choooowns' on the CD player.

- Friday night takeaways - particularly the kebab shop!

- Piercing my own ear & walking into dinner with an earring like nothing had happened (very grateful to Mrs P for removing & disinfecting!)

- The burglar alarm regularly going off and Mr P heroically going out the back door with the cricket bat.

- Mrs P’s birthday cakes - so generous & something all boarders thoroughly enjoyed!

The list goes on... I sincerely believe that without your contributions, I wouldn't have seen out my time at Loughborough Grammar School. Your support back then was the backbone of my success today and I am forever in your debt.

Thank you so much and I wish you all the best as you embark on your new journey.

Christophe is now a professional rugby union referee and lives in Cheltenham.

LINCOLN LEUNG It’s been over 10 years since I left Loughborough Grammar School, but yet from time to time I still find my mind travelling back to the days I spent at Denton House as a young boy, on the opposite side of the globe from home.

I still remember at the weekends, we would hop onto the minibus, go to Chiquitos and order a kebab to enjoy. Sometimes, the house prefects would be invited to have a Chinese takeaway with Mr and Mrs Parton in the living room (on the housemaster’s side of Denton!). I also remember looking forward to the night of Pancake Day when we would have the privilege of enjoying some homemade pancakes, prepared fresh for us as we all queue up for seconds and thirds. Mr and Mrs Parton have always taken good care of us; our weekends at Denton House were always packed with activities, many of which have become very unique experiences for me. For example, I miss the time when Mr Parton took the boarders to Wales, where we spent a night in an accommodation with a full view of the sea, toured an impressive slate mine and spent some quality time along the beach there. Drifting my way down a nice slope of snow in SnowDome and speeding around a corner in a go-kart are some of the most fun I have ever had.

I am truly grateful for Mr and Mrs Parton for looking after me for so many years, and for giving me the opportunity to experience so many different things during my time in Denton.

Thank you so much for all that you have done for me. I’ll always continue to treasure these memories in my heart. Thank you, once again.

Lincoln is now a Biology Teacher living in Macau.

DAVID LI Dear Mr & Mrs Parton, I really do not know what to say haha!

I still remember the very first day arriving to Denton, learning new English words. Naming every single item that I could see - "Vacuum cleaner“. As you can see my grammar is so "perfect" in here. Can you believe I am a doctor in the NHS with my imperfect English, with the help from Mr & Mrs P and LGS. I remembered Mr P dancing was gold, it was fun to watch his dancing performances with the boarders in X-mas dinner. Yes, you can’t see that just as dayboys. Mrs P birthday cake and baking was very nice. It was very nice of them to be the parents of the Denton House providing guidance and parenting when we are far away from home.

We also certainly have some good memories as boarders too, messing around in Denton and now we have grown up - some of us are getting engaged, some of us busy chasing dreams, some of us still figuring out what is the purpose of life ... so deep.

Finally, I wish Mr & Mrs P had a good retirement. God be with them till we meet again!

David is now a qualified doctor working at St George’s Hospital in South London.

ANDREY CHERENKOV Dear Mr & Mrs Parton, My first meeting with Mr P at the age of 12 was quite memorable, my first thought being ‘Wow, he looks like Basil Fawlty!’. I was subsequently very happy to discover that Mr P also liked ELO and Fawlty Towers and was happy to communicate in Fawlty Towers quotes. It was great fun doing the Manuel impression on my birthday! I also recall a very memorable outing to the beach in Criccieth, where there were ‘many seaweeds’ that I got tangled in, to Mr P’s amusement. And of course, the quest to find some carrots in Heathrow!

I enjoyed the Friday takeaways a lot, it was a really nice way to relax after the school week. Thank you for taking the time to take us there, and all the other activities that we did. Even though I often asked if they were compulsory, they were actually very fun – especially the pantomimes, laser quests and go karting. Even back then, I was very impressed with how much energy and time you put into looking after us, and really appreciate it. I don’t know how you did it!

It was always a pleasure to see Mrs P around the house. I really appreciated your friendly presence and it always brightened up my day. And of course, thank you for all the birthday cakes – they were great! I also really enjoyed Mr P’s assemblies and sermons in Chapel, and always looked forward to them. The random acts of kindness one was great!

And finally, thank you very much for allowing me to join so many of Denton’s activities when I was in School House. I was having quite a miserable time there and it was a big relief to be able to visit Denton which I am very grateful for. I even grew to like football during that time!

Thank you so much for looking after me so well when I was a boarder at Denton, and for all the fun memories. I hope you have a very happy next stage of your lives after Denton. Thank you so much again for everything.

With warm wishes, Andrey Cherenkov (a.k.a. Russian Nation) – now a maths teacher at an international school in Shropshire.

HAYDN LAI

I was fifteen years old when I was first sent to study in the UK on my own and it wasn’t easy.

In fact, I remember dropping more than 10 kg in my first autumn term! It was Mr & Mrs P who helped me through this first significant challenge of my life. They made me feel “home” whenever I was in Denton; football matches, xbox with the game “FIFA”, Chinese takeaway and buffet, and of course, Mrs P’s home-baked birthday cakes for each of us.

Special thanks also to Mr P for being the first person bringing me to watch Arsenal live in a football stadium, an experience which I can never get in Hong Kong. To our people, the UK is known for its cool, grey weather. But Mr and Mrs P show us that life in the UK can be warm and colourful with their thoughtfulness and care.

I am now a qualified solicitor in Hong Kong. I am also getting married with my secondary school mate, whom I have known for more than 12 years (surprisingly, I’ve known her for a period longer than that I’ve known Mr & Mrs P for, so she is definitely the one!). Thank you Mr and Mrs P. I wish you a happy and enjoyable retirement life. Take care, stay safe and I hope that we can meet each other again in the near future.

Haydn is now a Solicitor living in Hong Kong and is engaged to be married.

AYDAN SZETO There is a plethora of reasons as to why the Partons were wonderful housemasters. The list goes on, but to summarise with one, it is because they care. They really, really care.

International boarders often struggle with English when they first arrive in the country. To compensate, Mr and Mrs Parton took time out of their personal lives to mentor us. I will forever remember Mrs Parton’s first lesson on English poetry: “every.word.matters.” Her patience with us was saintly.

A hilarious encounter with Mr Parton lives in my mind rent-free. As a border from Hong Kong we weren’t used to drinking tap water. When we weren’t fully convinced, Mr Parton risked his own life by performing a live demonstration of drinking water straight out of the tap! It took a few years, but I’m glad to report that I am now a tap water-drinker too.

Mr and Mrs Parton - Denton will never be the same without your guidance. Your contribution to Denton will live on as pleasant memories of every single boarder who passed through Denton over the last 25 years. I wish you all the best in the next exiting phase of your lives.

From the bottom of my heart: thank you.

Aydan is now a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Cambridge.

I really enjoyed my time as a boarder in Denton House.

Mr. Parton helped foster a sense of community in a house of different ages, nationalities, and personalities. The trips organized by Mr. Parton were what made Denton great, and I particularly enjoyed visiting Cambridge (including Mr. Parton's old college) and the seaside. Mr. Parton was also able to solve problems diplomatically and listen to suggestions, which made Denton a peaceful and dynamic place to live. I remember the chickens in the garden, the firework nights, Christmas dinners, takeaway Friday nights, and "sports hall". Also sledging in Bradgate Park one very snowy winter. Mrs. Parton was able to provide a maternal input to the boarding house and she particularly helped me in times of stress. I really appreciated that, especially during my A-Levels.

I wish them all the best for life post-Denton!

Ali Mahomed Mr and Mrs Parton gave the boys in Denton so much of their time, care, and attention.

I have many fond memories. Whether it was playing bingo in the dorm, weekly trips to the sports hall, bonfire night, Christmas dinner, and crazy birthday cakes! They really made Denton feel like a home away from home.

I wish them all of the best.

Leo Laurence Dear Mr and Mrs Parton, Thank you for everything that you have done for the boarders.

Apart from diligently practicing playing pool, ferociously competing at the foosball table, daytrips to Oxford, Blackpool and Wales... and cinema evenings were some of my favourite memories. I was also incredibly grateful for the university applications and EPQ advice by Mrs Parton too.

Wish you Mr and Mrs Parton well and best of luck!

Neville Lai

My time at Denton House provides me with fantastic memories. Mr and Mrs Parton both took on the role of "parents" whilst my parents were living overseas. They always ensured Denton was fun, memorable, a safe place to live and a place where great friendships were built, which is certainly the case for myself. One of my fondest memories is the amazing cakes Mrs Parton baked for all the boarder's birthdays, it was greatly appreciated.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr & Mrs Parton for their patience, kindness and always making me feel like part of a large family. Denton House will always provide me with fond memories.

Wishing you both every happiness in your retirement.

Jack McGilligan I had a lot of wonderful times at Denton and I owe Mr & Mrs Parton a great deal following everything that happened, and for acting as caretakers during tougher times for me. Wishing you all the very best for your post-Denton life!

James Walker To Mr and Mrs Parton, We can't believe you survived all this time! Thank you so much for making Denton House a Denton Home. Our time at the Grammar School wouldn't have been the same without you. We'll never forget sharing a cake with Mr Parton's on our Birthday! Wishing you all the best for the future!

Alex & Ben Ward

To Mr & Mrs Parton, Thank you very much for taking care of me during Year 9 to Year 13. I cannot believe it has already been 5 years since I departed from Denton House. Thank you Mr.P for driving us everytime from and to the Heathrow Airport. The car drives must have been exhausting as they were usually in the very early morning. Every Friday, Mr P would bring us to the takeaway shop in town at night, it was always the moment that I was so waiting for! Without Mr.P bringing me to the takeaway place, kebab would not be my comfort food now!

Thank you so much for Mrs P too! Taking care the boys, allowing us ordering Dominos as our birthday pizza cake! I still remember the time when Denton House was under the extension project period. Justin and I were sleeping in the main access doorway to the toilet in the extension. It was definitely one of the unforgettable memories in Denton House.

I am now working to be a qualified CPA in Hong Kong after graduating from the LSE. I wish the Partons a happy retirement life!

Navin Ma I could not believe what I read when I first got the message from a our Denton old boys group chat saying Mr. Parton is departing from the House this summer. In a lot of our minds, Mr. Parton and Denton are inseparable! Denton will no longer be the same without his presence!

I joined the Denton community in September 2010. Mr. Parton came across as an intimidating figure when I first arrived in LGS but I managed to adapt to the boarding school life in no time thanks to his love and care. 10 years on from living in Denton and coming to the UK, the Parton’s and his Denton community has taught me a lot of things that I would not have learnt if I had not lived there including all the British cultures, festivals and traditions like the Bonfire Night and playing Bingo! The highlight of my boarding life in LGS has to be all the weekly indoor football sessions and Mr. Parton’s dance at the Boarder’s Christmas Dinner! I have also made some very good friends during my stay there thanks to Mr. Parton’s effort to ensure everyone gets along well in Denton! Sometimes I do regret not returning to Denton after graduating from LGS to pay them a visit and thank them in person.

Although you probably won’t remember every single one of us who has been through Denton, you have truly left a mark in my life and given me so many treasurable memories to look back into.

Thank you and all the best!

Wilbert Lum

Choosing one singular memory from my time in Denton for me is not easy as there are too many to choose from. I remember how I enjoyed getting to draw Mr Parton with one of his prized possessions (his bicycle). It was one of many examples of Mr Parton going out of his way for me when I was doing my GCSE in Art. He and Mrs Parton even let me use their kitchen to artificially age some of my sketches so that they resembled old renaissance engineering drawings (though Mr Parton was quite concerned that I would burn down his kitchen, and the number of accidents I have subsequently had at university suggest that he was on to something).

What I remember most of all though is how Mr and Mrs Parton went out of their way for all of us who passed through Denton. It seemed Mr and Mrs Parton were always able to solve problems for us. No challenge was too great and no deadline was too short. I remember Mr Parton taking students numerous times on late night trips to Tesco's so they had food and snacks for school field trips after informing him that same evening. That attitude and kindness was the most memorable aspect of my time at Denton as it was always there unconditionally. It made Denton a sanctuary for me when life became turbulent and challenging.

Mr Parton was one of the most significant characters in my life for the five years I spent in Denton and he continues to impact me through the choices I make and the standards I aim to uphold myself to each day. Mr. Parton, Mrs. Parton and the whole of the Denton community have helped me to cherish and appreciate the successes of others as well as my own, and to persevere against challenges I face and, when I can, to support those who must persevere through challenges of their own. I can't thank Mr and Mrs Parton enough for this and I wish them all the best for the future and I hope to see them again soon.

Joshua Finn Mr and Mrs Parton were amazing people. Throughout my stay in Denton House, they prioritised boarder’s welfare above all else. It truly was a home away from home.

I would like to thank them for all good memories and wish them all the best!

Ian Sou

AFF WALLACE Given the nature of my late dad’s career as a Master Mariner, and that my mum was training to be a Vicar, I was put into boarding full time throughout upper sixth form 2003/04. Initially in School House, though quite early on in the academic year there was a call for volunteers to be a house prefect at Denton. All I heard was that there were no formal lights out for prefects, so I jumped at the chance and headed over. I even managed to negotiate a parking spot for “the beast” (my Land Rover Defender).

I was no stranger to Denton House, as there were occasions when I stayed for the odd week or so in my younger years, but this felt different. By taking on this responsibility along with Steve Wilcox, I felt like I was family. That’s what was so special about the way the Parton’s treated me throughout that time. They were a second dad and mum to not just the kids but to me too. Giving Mr Parton grief about the Villa beating Wolves 4-0 at Molineux or having debates about anything and everything with Mrs Parton, or playing football with their delightful kids, there was always kindness and love.

The final year at LGS is one of the most important yet also the most poignant. Old Father Time stops for no man, so each and every year must have been incredibly difficult for the Parton’s saying goodbye to boarders and prefects alike. I have always been anxious when it comes to a change of chapter in my life. Even now. The change was even more difficult though as it was the happiest I’d ever been in a school. One particular memory is of after an English language exam, as 150 or so year 13 lads sprinted into town to watch England v Switzerland at Euro 2004. Though for Steve and me we just sauntered next door to our penthouse in Denton and Mr Parton already had beers in the fridge. Class act.

My life since has plodded on. Graduating from University of Birmingham with a 2:1 in Theology. Eventually becoming a teacher myself at a school in the Black Country. I have since met my lovely wife Ceri and last year became a dad to my beautiful daughter Ellyn. Both of whom would love to meet you all and see where I had some of my happiest memories. Happy times that would not have been anywhere near as happy if it wasn’t for you both.

Mr and Mrs Parton. Second Mum and dad. Home away from home.

STEVE WILCOX My name is Steve “Steve-O” Wilcox. I arrived at Denton House in 1999 aged 13 years old, and at that point I had no idea what to expect or where the journey would take me … Never in a million years did I think it would be like it was! It really was like a second family – a home away from home – and the Partons became a huge part of my life and my development as a young man.

As my dad was in the British Army, I had been moved around Germany with the family to multiple different schools in my early years, so mum and dad decided it was time to make some roots. LGS was perfect as my grandparents lived a few miles down the road in Birstall, which meant I could visit them at the weekend for some much-needed reprieve from my homesickness.

The memories! There are so many but here is a selection of my favourites…

- Mr P giving me a lift home at the weekend just so we could go out for spin in the Focus RS (with go faster stripes).

- Countless hours of extra maths tuition to help me get through my math GCSE. - Becoming a Prefect for the house and helping Mr and Mrs P care for the boarders like they had done for me, passing on key life skills; humility, empathy and, above all, patience.

After finishing at LGS I decided to take a gap year which comprised of working as a PE teacher in Fairfield and stepping into the role of Deputy House Master of Denton House – that meant upgrading to the penthouse at the top of the house, which for a 19 year old was awesome!!

Memories of Friday night curries after the borders were asleep chatting, putting the world to rights and having a tipple of Asbach (“the Nectar”) which my dad always brought back from Germany. Spending a whole evening with Mrs P making hundreds of pancakes for the ravenous hordes of boarders on pancake day. Having deep and meaningful conversations over the kitchen table eating toast and lemon curd. Helping Mr P create race circuits at the back of the house for his model car club. Mr P referring to everything as a ‘disco’ – something which I still do with my own kids today! All these memories and so many more will stick with me forever.

After graduating from Gloucester Uni I escaped to Cornwall and got married to Kara and started my family. I got a seasonal job working for Ann’s Cottage at Polzeath, and the resilience and determination I had picked up from my time with the Partons meant that I would always give my best at whatever I was doing. Ten years later and seven promotions later I’m now the Warehouse Manager!

I can’t really put into words what these two amazing humans did for me and the impact that they had in making me the individual I am today. Their absolute steadfast morals, kindness and determination are cornerstones of my personality as I creep up towards 40…!! These lessons have held me in good stead through the events of the past decade, including the birth of my two beautiful children, Evalie-Rose and Ashton, to my wife Kara being diagnosed with stage 4 triple negative breast cancer, battling for years but being an absolute hero and surviving!! And through all the dramas and heartache that came with Covid.

I would like to thank the whole Parton family, not only from the bottom of my own heart but from that of my whole family, for all the support and guidance you gave me throughout my most impressionable years. Have an incredible retirement, you both thoroughly deserve it!!

All the best, love from a forever grateful Steve-O. X

MARK MCMORRAN I remember Neville Ireland (then Headmaster) ringing me very soon after I’d accepted the job of Head of Computing telling me about the opportunity of becoming fully involved in the life of the school and asking if I’d consider becoming an Assistant Boarding Housemaster. He added that I’d be working in Denton House with a new Housemaster, Jeremy Parton, and also that I’d get three meals a day. I accepted before I’d seen the flat or the facilities it offered.

Shortly before the start of the Autumn Term in 1997 I moved in and we had a boarding house meeting where I met the other new Assistant Housemaster, Neil Roberts. We immediately struck up a good friendship and the vibe in the house was good, so we were set to meet our first boarders. I mention here Sarah because she was always present and able to offer advice and support to us all.

I’ve tried to recall some incidents and no doubt I’ve forgotten many. Firstly, we would of an evening go to the Dry Ski Slope in Swadlincote as an activity. On one occasion, Dr Cheryl Kelly joined us and all was good until a fall injured her hand. I took her to A&E and we spent some hours there waiting for her broken finger to be treated.

The electrics in Denton weren’t the best and if I had a shower at the same time as the Partons, it would trip the circuit. On one occasion when this happened I needed to rinse my hair of shampoo, so I stepped out the shower to the adjacent sink. I must have leaned too heavily as the sink came away from the wall and I was left holding it and the split pipe spurting out water. I didn’t recall any training for this eventually so decided I might as well drop the sink, put on some clothing and raise the alarm as fast as I could.

We celebrated the turn of the Millennium with a party and I invited some of my friends. The games room served as a perfect Disco venue and we all had a good time with a conga if I remember, however I was shocked to discover that on the boarders’ return one of my friends had left an item of underwear in the dormitory!

We’d often enjoy a curry from Curry Royale and I think it was always a Lamb Passanda for Jeremy and a Chicken Bhuna for me. I also thank Jeremy and Sarah for accepting the many Chinese takeaway deliveries for me at their front door!

Another sports related event – Jeremy informed me that the boarders would love to cycle around Rutland Water and he promised me that they could all ride a bike. This was not accurate, and we tried to share a tandem bike around the car park without success for quite a while. It was not possible and, in the end, the non-cyclist had to ride a tricycle. At least we made it to the pub for lunch…

I should write about the last evening before I left with two boarders by name. They were both part of my time in Denton over several years. I had a bottle of banana liqueur which had been at the back of the cupboard for some time. Tom Oliphant (a star of Denton) perhaps had a little too much and Steve Wilcox (also a star).

To finish, I remember very fondly my time in Denton which was a happy time and my thanks to Jeremy and Sarah, and the assistant house staff we had along the way for making it so. I learnt a lot through the experience.

I wish them both well for their next adventure.

Mark.

NEIL ROBERTS •

A special couple - happy to contribute.

•

Sarah's open kitchen door and kindness will stay with me for ever - a soft, but clear presence in the House and the boys loved her surrogate mother role. One in a million!

•

Jeremy's stature (the rest of the residents used to affectionately call him Big Bird from Sesame Street because of his height and his heart of gold!) and his ability to mimic fellow members of staff wonderfully well is an abiding memory - especially taking the mickey out of Mr Rose's 'Pokey motor'!

•

I was his Assistant Housemaster from 1996-2001 and lived in The Red House flat. Wishing Mr & Mrs Parton the very happiest of lives post-Denton.

•

Ever,

•

Neil Roberts

DAVID LAST I first met Jeremy in about May 2002 - an unbelievable 20 years ago - during my second visit to LGS - the first being my job interview a few weeks before. I had travelled from my then home in Bedfordshire and was somewhat taken aback by the splendour of LGS. My first teaching assignment had been a tough inner-city school in Luton whereby surviving the day without being sworn at or physically attacked was a real achievement.

We met in his office on a Saturday and I learned about Denton, procedures and how things generally worked out in the boarding house. Jeremy struck me as being a man who did things properly, someone devoted to the vocation of teaching and learning and someone who cared deeply about the task he had been given in Denton.

Jeremy and I didn´t always see eye-to-eye on matters from religion and the meaning of life, discipline, and the use of the word “thusly” in school reports. In spite of this, I feel there was a great deal of respect between us for the people we were, the jobs we were trying to do and the professionalism with which we went about our jobs I learned a lot from Jeremy in the three years I worked in Denton - most notably the rule of never giving groups of kids choice - it never works. Simply tell them what we are doing and be done with it. This is indeed something I try to enforce with my own two kids - not always with the same degree of success.

I left LGS in 2005 and my last contact with Jeremy was in about 2007. I sent him an SMS to which he speedily replied. I asked him how he was. He replied that he was well, and that he was getting fatter, and that the kids were getting bigger. That was the last we heard of each other and I must now laugh at his response - it is likely the response that I would send to him, were he to ask me the same question now.

I very much wish that Jeremy and Sarah enjoy their time as ‘normal’ people again after devoting so much time in Denton and to the countless boys whom they have looked after over years. As I understand, it is not a retirement from the world of work, but a step in the right direction. Whatever it is to them personally, it represents a well-deserved break and I hope they do actually manage to turn down the gas a little!

CHERYL BUCHANAN

Dear Jeremy and Sarah, Congratulations on your retirement from boarding after 25 years!

Thank you for welcoming me into the Denton House community and making me feel part of both the boarding school community and your family when I started my first teaching job all those years ago.

Such happy memories with trips to the bowling alley, cinema and dry ski slope (not so much the dislocated finger and late Friday night visit to A&E at Leicester Royal Infirmary) and the legendary Christmas meals and dancing!

Your care, warmth and pastoral support towards the boys in the boarding house (and me) is fondly remembered and I really do feel lucky to have been a part of your world for so long.

Wishing you all the best and hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Much love, Cheryl.

NISHA TAYLOR I will always have the fondest of memories of my 5 years spent in Denton whilst residing in Red House.

Jeremy and Sarah's warmth and kindness was evident throughout the boarding house, most notably through the open-door policy they extended to both the boarding staff and pupils, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with the Denton family. From Wednesday night chapel, to signing homework diaries, re-homing stray laundry items or changing bedsheets, duty nights were always interspersed with cups of tea in the Parton kitchen and the dispensing of invaluable advice around the table, no matter how busy life got. Weekends brought the opportunity for travel, sightseeing, sport and culture, with activities ranging from visiting museums to theme parks, taking in beautiful countryside or partaking in thrill-seeking endeavours, often with culinary fests en route and always accompanied by epic tunes in the minibus. Quieter weekends consisted of visits to town to pick up essentials, and plenty of time for impromptu music recitals in the common room. Evenings were often rounded off with an intense pool tournament, followed by an opportunity to watch the latest Top Gear and a quick noodle fest before bed!

My favourite time of year in Denton was Christmas, with the Denton tree brightly lit with as many lights as it could hold and, of course, the Boarders' Christmas dinner, complete with balloons, entertainment provided by the Denton boys and the obligatory visit from Santa.

Bonfire nights were a close second, with Jeremy putting on extra-ordinary pyrotechnic displays, and who could forget Sarah's legendary toffee apples. The approach of summer always signalled the end of another year in boarding and the start of a mad packing frenzy!

Fortunately, it rarely signalled the end of an era as I am so pleased that many of the bonds forged during my time in boarding, are still going strong today.

ALAN DOSSETT It was at the start of September 2002, that I made the rash decision to sign up for 3 terms of Denton duties for 1 day a week. On my first day (which coincidentally was the first day of the new academic year) I entered a pitch-black games room via the rear entrance. Not knowing where the light switches were, I stumbled around in the darkness. Almost immediately I heard a strange whimpering from the corner of the room. My initial reaction was Mrs Parton had been subject to marital abuse (again) but in fact it was a 10-year-old boy, Nathan Cole, suffering from acute homesickness.

In the months that followed I saw first-hand how expert the Partons were at dealing with such issues. Sarah Parton’s kitchen door was always open, able to receive a multitude of concerns both real and imagined. She was also quite good at dealing with the Denton residents as well! Mr Parton’s tactics were to fill each day, and particularly each weekend, with a variety of interesting and enjoyable pursuits. Yours truly was drafted in to act as a wingman for trips to Laser Quest, model car racing, Premier League matches, all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets, mountain bike riding and even weekend trips to quintessential English seaside resorts. In the latter we both tried, without success, to extol the pleasures of arcade slots machines to dubious boys from the Far East.

All these events took an enormous amount of time to organise and execute.

I finished my year’s sentence exhausted. My stint was only one day a week but starting at 7.00am, doing a full day’s teaching, and then returning to Denton from 4.00pm to lights out at 10.00pm left me running on empty.

To think that Jeremy did this each week from Monday to Friday left me shaking my head in disbelief.

Long serving teachers at LGS cite John Weitzel as the ultimate professional in terms of dedication to the job. I would place Jeremy Parton even higher than that. Working alongside him in our roles as pastoral leaders, and seeing his energy, care and devotion left me with feelings of inadequacy on more than one occasion. I know he could not have done this without the love and support of Sarah and indeed his sons John and Joe. I am absolutely convinced that when he is carried out from the Biology block in a coffin we will never see another teacher that can remotely measure up to his standards.

PETER GACS Dear Sarah and Jeremy, Thank you for those nine beautiful years we spent together in Denton and thank you for all the support you have given me throughout those years. I enjoyed every minute working with both of you in the boarding house.

I remember arriving at Luton Airport in August 2005 and being greeted by Jeremy and Joe and the same evening going to the cinema with Jeremy, John and Joe to watch a film. A few days later we went to a Wolves match, your beloved team, and that was only the beginning. I also remember my first weekend Denton trip to Cleethorpes, going to a theme park there and eating fish and chips. To Cleethorpes I still return to this day on a regular basis.

It would take pages to list all the things and activities we did together, but the highlights definitely include the trips to London, bowling, cinema, Forest and Wolves football matches, Riders basketball, Panthers ice hockey, cycling, Twycross Zoo and of course Sarah’s birthday cakes for the boys. Last but not least how could I forget the many curry takeaways Jeremy and I used to have during the school holidays. Fun days those were that is for sure!

Denton will not be the same without you and thank you for being a great role model for me and for the boarders during those many years. I wish you all the best post Denton and I really hope that we will keep in touch.

JOEY MELLOWS

I first remember meeting Jeremy when I was 23 years old – not long out of school myself in the grand scheme of things. He was kind and so helpful – the perfect mentor for a new teacher starting out in the profession.

Over the five years we worked together in Denton House he was someone I both admired and looked up to. His work ethic and passion for his job was unrivalled – except possibly by his love of Wolverhampton Wanderers and, of course, his family that he was so proud of.

One thing that will always stay with me was when he came down to Portsmouth for a Wolves away game and then drove around to meet my parents after the match. He said some kind and possibly generous things about how I was settling into boarding school life and it meant the world to my Mum and Dad to know that I was working for someone who was so caring and principled.

It is hard to believe that Jeremy is leaving Denton House – the two seem so entwined in my memory and that of the hundreds of boys the Parton family have helped turn into young men.

I wish both Mr. and Mrs. Parton happiness and some rest as they depart from Denton. Also, if you are ever in Seoul, you have a room with your name on it!

CHRIS PRESCOTT

Dear Jeremy and Sarah, I have been incredibly lucky to have been both a boarder under your care and to have had the privilege of working alongside you at Denton for the past 6 years.

Despite my mother only being yards away at the High School, my parents always knew I was in safe hands. I have lots of wonderful memories from my short time as a boarder, the most memorable being a bonfire night I will never forget (!). I enjoyed my time at Denton so much that when I returned to LSF, I knew there was only one thing I wanted to do: be a house tutor at Denton.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working alongside you both and greatly appreciate all the professional guidance and support you have provided over the years as a mentor. For the last 25 years you have nurtured a wonderful homely and family-like culture at Denton and will both be greatly missed.

Chris has returned to the school and is currently a teacher at Fairfield.

BEN KOROSI

Mrs Parton, please accept my apologies for the football analogies contained within this!

Sir Alex Ferguson changed not just Manchester United, but English - and world - football for the ~25 years he led Manchester United, impacting on the lives of generations of footballers. Your 25 years in Denton have had an even bigger impact on the countless boys who have passed through your intimate care. You have not just shaped Denton; the whole of LGS, and in particular the boarding community, is much the richer and better for all that you have done for 25 years. Although I was only a part of Denton House for one term in my very first year at LGS before School House came calling, I massively value all that I learnt from you, along with your care and support - I could not have asked for better 'mentors' in the world of boarding.

If we thought that one term was to be the end, though, we were very wrong when in 2020, the C-word came along and the two Houses became one - with a tag-along Korosi to boot. Despite the chaos in the rest of the world, some of my fondest memories of boarding will always be of this time spent with you: the BBQs, the family meals in Denton and above all, the fire-pit and marshmallows which brought joy to the boys and sleepless nights to rival the fireworks to Mrs P, I am sure! I would like to finish by alluding to another fun evening shared during lockdown: replacing you in Denton will be an 'Impossible Job' and thinking you won't be there next year... “Do I not like that”!

It was a privilege to work with you both in Denton House and to witness first-hand the tremendous care you gave to the boarders and the tireless effort you put in to making the boys time here so special, ensuring everyone is part of our community and never allowing them to be overlooked.

I thoroughly enjoyed my duties within the house as you created such a happy and homely environment. It was a great opportunity to engage with the boys outside of the classroom setting. The highlights of my time were regular games of Mah Jong with groups of boys mixed in with occasional games of pool, bonfire and fireworks at Quorn and meals out.

I wish you both the happiest of futures as you leave the house, you certainly deserve it!

Duncan Happer

For the past 8 years I have been privileged to work alongside Mr & Mrs Parton in Denton. I have always been impressed with the efforts that they both go to ensure that the boys of Denton have the best boarding experience possible.

Highlights for me have been the development of the Denton garden (I especially enjoyed the freshly grown tomatoes), the Christmas party dance routines (the Frog one was legendary), the Saturday night curry and the many discussions we have had on Wolves vs Tigers (Tigers every time) and how Mr Parton always manages to get the fastest time when go karting.

They are among the kindest people I have ever met, both incredibly supportive and I could not have wished for better people to work for.

Adam Lloyd

THANK YOU, MR & MRS PARTON!

With special thanks to Emma Fraser, Natalie Savage and the LSF Development Office for their support.

Printed by Minuteman Press, Oxford – August 2022.