© 2023 Buckland Newton Community Website Committee Last updated 7th December 2023 17:35 Website design and update by Jeremy Collins
Around the Village
There’s plenty to do around the village, from clubs
and groups, regular and one-off events to Keep Fit
and Pilates classes and scheduled walks.
Whatever your interest, you are almost certain to
find activities or groups to suit. We have a fine
Village Hall, a well-stocked village shop (The Old
Chapel Stores), The Gaggle of Geese pub, Primary
School, Pre-school and Toddler group and an
historic parish church.
Use the buttons below to find out about other
activities and facilities in and around the village:
General Information
Buckland Newton’s Holy Rood Church at risk?
from the Vicar, Jonathan Still:
Dear Friends,
Yesterday I tied red and white hazard warning tape across the chancel of
Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton. The colours are sort of Christmassy-
you can see it when you come to the Church Christmas Fayre (Saturday
2nd December from 10am) or the Carol Service 4.30 Christmas Eve or the
Christmas Day Communion 10am as we can still use the main nave, and
the church is warm, and there is a loo and coffee because of the
magnificent work of the Church Council: but the effect upon me is far from
Christmassy. You see, a structural timber has dropped about 1” in the
chancel roof. Above it, the oak boarding has dropped, and above that the
roof covering has dropped. The inspecting architect tested the upper roof
and said it felt “crunchy”, which is not good.
To inspect the damage – is it dry rot? - is it beetle? requires permissions
and inspection for asbestos in the ceiling panels, and a tower scaffold, and
an available builder, (Oh, and -I nearly forgot - lots of money). It is in the
run up to Christmas, builders are besieged by people wanting work
finished, we are having to wait weeks.
So, the half dozen of your neighbours who take responsibility for running
and maintaining Holy Rood on your behalf are under enormous stress and
worry. This could be ‘life changing’ for a structure which has stood as the
heart of this community for at least 800 years, probably considerably more.
I don’t want to presume that you are indifferent to this, but ancient
churches are failing throughout rural England. The people who live around
them are no longer the descendants of those who built them. They have
lost the sense of relatedness and ownership. Busses, Chapels, local
facilities have gone, churches are going to be next. Thank goodness we
still have our school, shop and pub- look how you fight to keep them.
Only when rural churches fail in large numbers- there are 16,000 of them
and they make up 45% or our Grade 1 listed heritage- will government be
compelled to act. The only rational decision will be, as with closed burial
grounds, as in France, to transfer responsibility to Local Authorities, in our
case, the parish council.
That would be really sad. Despite all the fundraising, Holy Rood is in
annual deficit by about £10,000 a year. But that is a tiny amount to
compare with the costs if it had to be taken on by local government. While
it lives as a local institution it largely maintains itself.
I am deeply fond of Holy Rood Parochial Church Council. They work so
hard and care so much. If you would like to help them in their task, please
come forward. If you wish to support them financially their bank is Buckland
Newton PCC A/c 04602501 60-07-01. Come and chat at one of our events.
Amazingly for rural Dorset, we still have a warm, loo provisioned Church
service with live music and coffee every single week. At least, we do for the
moment…….
Switch off of analogue telephone lines
People may have seen a small amount of information about the intention
by Openreach to change all landlines to digital by 2025. There is no
national publicity about this changeover, but it will have quite a big effect
for some people.
Please click for more information about this changeover from
Councillor Jill Haynes.
Helping farmers and land managers navigate changes
brought about by the Agricultural Transition
The support continues to include: Transition workshops, One-to-one
support, Small group webinars, Digital training. For full details of the
support and to register on any of the workshops please visit our website -
https://businessinfopoint.co.uk/ffr/ or call 0800 592 872.
Other Local Websites and Publications
• share & promote positive news relating to our village & its
surroundings.
• support our thriving local groups, societies, committees &
businesses.
• buy, sell, swap pre-loved possessions.
• enable the village community to advertise their skills, to promote
their events, ask for trader recommendations or get advice on a local issue.
Anyone can join the community page, and once you do you can post your
event or views. A team of moderators oversees the site and makes sure
that all those posting respect the rules of the community page. At present
your moderators are Amanda McKenna, Keith Darbyshire and Simon
Colquhoun.
Buckland Newton Parish Council Website
Lydden Vale News
The local printed Newsletter, the Lydden Vale News, is delivered free to
There is an online version of the newsletter; for most recent available
(December 2023) issue, click on Lydden Vale News to view page-by-page
or Lydden Vale News (pdf file) if you have a fast internet connection, to
download the whole issue. There is also a rolling 12-month Lydden Vale
News Archive, so that you can refer back to earlier issues.
The LVN Editor - Amanda McKenna, and Treasurer - Vinny McKenna. E-
mail contact as above.
Food and Drink
Old Chapel Stores
Sue, Pete and their family welcome you to their village shop. Opening
Hours: Monday to Saturday 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, Sunday 8.00 am to 12.00
noon. Meats from Butchers Roger Else (Stalbridge). Plus all sorts of
tempting bakery goodies from Evershot Bakery as well. Plus: Hardware
Department upstairs. Pop along for more information on what is available
and support your local shop.
Christmas Order information: Turkey, Beef, Gammon, Sausages and
Bacon - Please collect on or before Christmas Eve – order now or ASAP.
Fruit and Vegetables – order by Wednesday 20th Dec for collection from
Friday 22nd; Fresh Cream, Cheese etc. – order by Monday 19th Dec for
collection on Thursday 21st or Friday 22nd Dec; Evershot Bread – order
by Thursday 21st Dec
Opening Times: Christmas Eve (Sun) 8 am to 12 noon, Christmas Day
(Mon) closed; Boxing Day (Tues) 8 am to 12 noon. Wed: Resume normal
hours 7 am to 6 pm except New Year’s Eve 8 am to 12 noon and New
Year’s Day (Mon) 8 am to 12 noon. 2nd Jan: Resume normal hours 7 am
to 6 pm
Happy Christmas to all our customers from Sue and Pete.
Gaggle of Geese
Simon and Sarah at the Gaggle of Geese (Winner - Best Pub Garden
2023) welcome bookings from those looking for a venue for special
occasions - such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, children’s parties,
fundraisers etc. Just get in touch for a chat about how we can help you
celebrate at the Gaggle.
How to contact The Gaggle:
Aside from popping in to the pub, you can also reach us or leave a
message on 01300 345249 or e-mail on hartandhops@gmail.com Latest
news and details of events can be found on our Facebook page -
https://www.facebook.com/gaggleofgeesepub/ - website at
https://gaggleofgeese.co.uk/ .
Join us at the Gaggle to celebrate Christmas. Lots of festive cheer,
good company and good times! Our hours over the Christmas period are:
Christmas Eve - Sunday 24th - open throughout the day from midday.
Book if you would like to eat (food served midday til 7pm). Community
Carols from 6pm.
Christmas Day - Monday 25th - open for drinks from 11.30am til 2.30pm.
Bring the family for a drink. Christmas jumpers welcomed!
Boxing Day - Tuesday 26th - closed.
And then open normal hours the rest of the week.
New Years Eve - Sunday 24th - open from midday and serving food until
8pm. Open into the evening for drinks, good company and natter!
Pub Closed - 1st to the 25th January - we will be giving our team and
ourselves a much-needed break! The pub will be closed for a few weeks -
reopening on Thursday 25th. Thank you for your support in 2023 and we
look forward to seeing you in 2024!
Simon and Sarah write: “We have been considering our opening hours for
the next few months. Two key factors are influencing our thinking.
Firstly, our electricity bill is about to jump significantly (by about an extra
£14k a year!). This means we need to make some savings on running
costs and it is hard to justify being open on quiet, dark, rainy days. Strong
argument for condensing our trade over fewer days to minimise costs.
And secondly (and probably more importantly!) we are trying to improve
our work / life balance! Having been running pubs for over ten years now,
there is only so long that we can do 70 – 80+ hour weeks for. Having more
free time and more family-time is something that we want to improve on.
Due to the above we have decided that our Autumn opening hours from
the start of September will be as follows:
Monday & Tuesday – closed.
Wednesday to Saturday – open from 11.30am til late. Food served
midday til 2.30pm and 5 til 9pm.
Sundays – open from midday til 7pm. Food served midday til 6pm.”
Tikka Curry Van generally visits Buckland Newton on alternate
Wednesdays.
Boosting Broadband in Rural Areas
Dorset Council is appealing to town and parish councils to help spread the
word that help is available to boost broadband in rural areas. For more
information, please see the attached article - voucher funding may be
available for households/businesses with slow broadband.
Fibre broadband is available via BT to most residents in Buckland Newton.
Wessex Internet is also currently bringing fibre broadband to Buckland
Newton - contact them for more information.
Outreach Post Office
The outreach Post Office is open in the Village Hall on Mondays, Tuesdays
and Fridays from 9.00 am to 12.00 noon.
Prescriptions
Prescriptions are delivered from Cerne Abbas Surgery to Old Chapel
Stores, usually after 3.30 pm, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The village has its own defibrillator, housed in an unlocked cupboard on an
outside wall of the Village Hall by the kitchen door, under the veranda. In
an emergency, ring 999, then click here for list of runners who will bring the
defibrillator to you.
Recycling and Refuse Collection and Calendar
You can find details of your rubbish and recycling calendar at
Travel & Traffic / Road Closures
Weather Forecast
The nearest Met Office Weather Forecast location is Minterne Gardens.
Click for a 7-day weather forecast.
Flood Warden
The village Flood Warden (01300 345707) or e-mail floodwarden@sky.com
In case of flooding, the village now has a supply of sandbags. If you are
unlucky enough to require use of these at some time in the future please
contact the Flood Warden to find out how to obtain sandbags.
More from the Village…
Bonfires - please consider your Neighbours
Please be considerate if you wish to have a garden bonfire. Smoke from
bonfires can be a real nuisance if neighbours have washing out to dry.
Particularly with coronavirus, smoke can also cause extra difficulties for
those with breathing problems, such as asthma sufferers - please think
before lighting a bonfire. For more advice from Dorset Council on bonfires
Regular Events
Buckland Newton Pre-School. This operates 8.45 am to 3.15 pm,
Monday to Friday in term time. Breakfast Club available from 8.00 am. All
at Buckland Newton School during term time. It caters for children aged
from 2 years, if space available. For further information, contact the school
office on 01300 345393 during school hours or
e-mail the School Office.
Lunch Club. A 2-course meal with tea/coffee on the second Friday of
each month, at Buckland Newton Village Hall or a Pub. Over 90 or 80?
Maybe in your seventies? Living alone and no longer driving, except to
potter around the village? You have a disability or long-term health
problem, and would love to get out to meet old friends or make new ones?
If so, we would be delighted to see you.
Village Cafe. 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, every last Friday in the month
(except August and December) in Buckland Newton Village Hall. A great
opportunity to meet people in the village if you are new to the area or just
meet your friends for an hour to catch up with them. £1.30 buys you cake
and coffee/tea.
Dates for your Diary
Below is a list of events taking place over the next few weeks. You can
also check the Buckland Newton Community Facebook page for last-
minute news of events. If you want your local event publicised here,
please e-mail Webmaster ; also please e-mail if you have to cancel your
event so that the events diary can be kept up to date.
Sundays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th December, Gaggle of Geese.
Community Carol Group - join us at the Gaggle for Buckland Newton
community carol singing each Sunday afternoon in December. We’ll have a
professional Choirmaster to help us get in to shape and plenty of song
sheets. Don’t worry if you’ve never sung before - just come along and
share the joy of community singing. Sunday’s 3rd, 10th, 17th - 5pm to 6pm.
Grand Finale at the Gaggle after the church service, Christmas Eve at
6pm. Traditional and Dorset carols.
Saturday 9th December, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, Pulham Village Hall.
Christmas Celebration. Join us for a festive slice of something delicious
and a mug of Gluehwein (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, squash will also be
available) to usher in the festive season. Christmas Raffle, Bric-a-brac,
Prizes for best Christmas outfit (adult and child).
Saturday 9th December, 7.30 pm, St. Mary’s Church, Dorchester DT1
2HJ. Dorchester Choral Society Christmas Concert ‘From Darkness
to Light’. Click on graphic at left for details. Tickets £15.00 from
DorchesterChoralSociety.org
Sunday 10th December. Service at Holy Rood Church. 10.00 am Holy
Communion.
Wednesday 13th December, 8.30 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Pub Quiz.
Teams of up to six. £2 per person or free if you dine first. Book a table for
your team! Quiz starts from 8.30pm.
Thursday 14th December, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Knit
and Natter. The fortnightly crafting social group. Free to attend. Bring a
project and perhaps some cake!
Sunday 17th December. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00 pm All-
Age Family Service: “Jesus’ Christmas Party”.
Sunday 17th December, 6.30 pm, Pulham Church. Christmas Carols.
Wine and mice pies afterwards.
Sunday 24th December, 4.30 pm, Holy Rood Church Buckland
Newton. Carol Service. Children are invited to come dressed as a
shepherd, an angel or a king. During the service they will have the option
to process around the church then form a human tableau of the Nativity.
There will be a rehearsal for readers and others taking part in the church
on 23rd December at 3.00 pm. Contact Helen Simpson or Jon Sulkin if
your child would like to read or take on the role of Mary, Joseph or the
donkey. Tel 01300 345401 or 0797 127 7584. After the service you are
invited to ‘process’ to The Gaggle for informal carols.
Monday 25th December - Christmas Day. Service at Holy Rood
Church. 10.00 am Holy Communion.
Monday 31st December. No Service at Holy Rood Church. 11.00 am
Benefice Holy Communion at Godmanstone Church.
Wednesday 10th January, 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm, Buckland Newton
Village Hall. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. Martin Young of Martin Young
Gardening services will enlighten members and guests on the topical subject
of “Plants for a Changing Climate”.
The Defib Committee and Runners - could you help?
We are looking for more volunteers to go on the ‘Runner’ List (published in
the LVN every month) and also for more people to become Committee
members.
Jan Burnett, Diana Wells, Fizz Lewis, Sandie Stout and Jane Willis
currently comprise the Committee. At the moment there is little to do for
Committee members apart from helping with the annual training meeting
which we hold in February (see above). We meet, usually once a year to
discuss this, call out of the defibrillator over the year and its maintenance,
ensure runners are able to continue. The Fete is wonderfully supportive of
the village defib.
If you are interested in going on the committee or becoming a runner,
please contact Fizz Lewis 345521/Jan Burnett 345356 or any other
committee member.
Buckland Newton Community Website
in the heart of rural Dorset