DENNY OF SOUTHWOLD celebrated 150 years of trading in Southwold during 2001. In a fun packed year Lyn Knights devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to provide customers and staff with a host of activities from fashion shows to an auction of new clothes.

Four fashion shows featured Denny of Southwold during the year. In the early summer their clothes hit the headlines at an East Anglian Daily Times extravaganza in Nacton, near Ipswich. In July, Lyn held her own fashion show at the Beachcomber Suite on the new Southwold Pier. The show was an outstanding success, organised by Production Services Entertainment based in Norwich and compered by Dudley Clarke, who only a few days before had masterminded the PR for the opening of the Southwold Pier by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Over 200 people attended the show where wine and canapés were served by Stephen Bournes and his team from Running With The Hare. A fun evening supported by the EADT and Chris and Helen Iredale, owners of the pier.

Next followed the new clothes auction, Lyn had coaxed her suppliers in providing new clothes to be auctioned in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer Appeal. This event, attended by over 120 persons at the Beachcomber Suite, raised in excess of £4200. Again Dudley Clarke was in the hot seat, this time as auctioneer. With over 100 lots, he was in need of a pint or two to lubricate a very dry throat. Together with over £700 raised at the fashion show, Lyn was able to make a presentation to Sally Balch of Breakthrough of £5000, a remarkable achievement.

In September Lyn trailed her clothes to Norwich for the Eastern Daily Press fashion show at St Andrews Hall. Another successful evening resulting in lots of visitors to the shop in Southwold. Next back south to the Stoke by Nayland Golf and Country Club for yet another show organised by the EADT. A truly super show with some outstanding clothes from Denny of Southwold.

In between all of these activities Lyn managed to provide clothes for several magazine fashion shoots, make herself available for press interviews and cajole her staff and friends to help out at the many functions.

In early December, in association with Robin Fournel of The Amber Shop and Museum, a 'Mainly For Men' late night shopping event was held in the respective shops, fortunately next door to each other. Many customers turned out to purchase presents for their loved ones and sampled the generous hospitality provided. Robin also supported many of the fashion shows, providing a stand displaying his wide range of jewellery.

Finally, just before Christmas Lyn organised a Christmas party for her loyal and hard working staff. Sadly she was unable to attend because of ill health. Needless to say, the team thoroughly enjoyed their night out at The Lighthouse in Aldeburgh, sampling excellent food and fine wines.

It can be said that Lyn Knights certainly celebrated an auspicious occasion with determination and professional skills resulting in a magnificent trading year and a file full of press cuttings, customers letters of praise and the satisfaction of knowing that she had contributed a lot to a well respected charity.

There was a time when Denny employed 25 tailors and fielded their own football team. Today the business is very much a retail outlet selling ladies and gentlemens casual clothing sourced from all over the world. Walking into the wooden panelled shop one is amazed at the variety of colours, the quality of the clothes, fine silks, linens and cottons, and the friendly knowledgeable staff who are always on hand to answer customers questions.

Denny of Southwold is now 151 years old, long may this Aladdin's cave continue to trade in one of England's least spoilt towns.

Email Lyn Knights at lindyknights@hotmail.com