News: Denise Hall - a celebration of her life

Next Saturday 23 May 2026 from 2pm onwards, David Hall and his family will be hosting a celebration of his wife Denise, who passed away in February.

They held a private, family cremation, followed by drinks at the Abbots Mitre. It was her wish, though, that a larger celebration should be held for their many friends.

The venue is the Halls’ garden at West Down House, Coley Lane. The day will be a spectacle of music, theatre and food, showcasing things that Denise loved.

It is the family’s hope that as many people as possible will join them for this garden party in her honour.

AmDram

David and Denise first met at an amateur dramatic society in Hertford. It became a shared passion, and a key part of their lives.

One of her favourite turns, was Pam Ayres’ “Dolly on a Dustcart”, which Denise always performed with a Northern accent. It begins:

I’m the dolly on the dustcart,

I can see you’re not impressed,

I’m fixed above the driver’s cab,

With wire across me chest,

The dustman see, he noticed me,

Going in the grinder,

And he fixed me on the lorry,

I dunno if that was kinder.

Once, at a Burns Night celebration in Scotland, she was in the Ladies, hurriedly changing into costume for “Dolly”. She was given the helpful advice “You’d better be good, hen, or this lot’ll murder you.”

She was good, and she survived.

One of her best musical comedy roles was the rapping, move-busting Grandma Rosie from The Wedding Singer, for which she received awards.

Ya see I got more clothes

than muhammad ali and I dress so viciously

I got bodyguards, I got two big cars

that definitely ain’t the wack

I got a lincoln continental and a sunroof cadillac

Her dedication to her craft was legendary. For one role - Sylvia from Stepping Out, a particularly buxom character - the director advised her that if she wanted to “fill out a little” she should “eat a Mars Bar a day.”

She duly complied, and was successful in her aim. However, after the run ended, she quickly had to lose the weight to fit into her wedding dress, which she did very well.

The celebration on Saturday will be a feast of music and drama involving friends from around the country. This will include a flash mob and an open mic - but you’ll have to work hard to get it out of the hands of all the luvvies wanting to sing their party piece for Denise.

Cake and shoes

Denise was an accomplished cake maker, but excelled in cake decorating, conjuring up many bespoke favourites for friends’ celebrations and theatre press nights. She also loved event management and organisation, for many years running front of house for Emma Way’s catering business “Taste”.

If it is cake or scones that reminds you of Denise, feel free to bring along your own tribute.

Denise loved shoes, and her collection almost rivalled Imelda Marcos. You are encouraged to wear “shoes with attitude”. There will be a prize for the most outrageous pair.

Cocktails, beer and food

Denise enjoyed cocktails. For her fiftieth birthday she drew up a menu of her favourite cocktails to be served. That menu will be recreated at Saturday’s celebration, courtesy of her many local friends.

Don’t worry, with German and English beer on tap, along with a salad bar and hog roast later in the day, there will be plenty of alternatives if you feel that the cocktail challenge may be beyond you!

Music

Denise was an accomplished pianist and music was a large part of her life. She frequently accompanied her friend Michelle, an opera singer, who will be performing on Saturday.

There will be two bands. 5hades of Grey, a six-piece rock and pop covers band, will be doing two sets.

The Oompah Band, Bier Blaskapelle will also be performing, conjuring memories of David and Denise’s time in Germany.

A special day

This celebration promises to be a unique event in Chilbolton, and was planned by the Hall family together. True to her nature, Denise had her own ideas on what it should include. It will be a day of the things that she loved.

She said that West Down House had “a May Garden” - being its best at this time of the year. She wanted to bring people together to enjoy it, and for them to bring something that reminded them of her: music, theatre or food, even verging on the edge of whacky.

Charlie, Francesca and David look forward to welcoming you to their home at West Down House on Saturday 23 May 2026 from 2pm onwards.