Around the Village

There’s plenty to do around the village, from clubs and groups, regular and one-off events to Keep Fit 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?

Major problems have been identified in the structure of the church roof. Please see the item on the Holy Rood Church page.

Environment Agency Advice in case of Flooding

The Environment Agency have issued updated advice on What to do in case of flooding.

Switch off of analogue telephone lines

People may have seen information about the intention by Openreach to change all landlines to digital. There is little 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.

Other Local Websites and Publications

Buckland Newton Community Facebook Page

• 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

every household in the village. Editorial: lyddenvalley@gmail.com

Advertising: lyddenvaleadverts@gmail.com

The on-line version of the Lydden Vale News (July 2026) is now in ‘Flip Book’ format, showing two pages side-by-side. To move through the on-line magazine either swipe from left to right to turn the page, or use the left and right arrow keys (  and  or Page Up/Page Down ) if you have a keyboard. The downloadable version, if you wish to print the magazine, is still available - Click Lydden Vale News (pdf file) There is also a rolling 12-month Lydden Vale News Archive, so that you can refer back to earlier issues.

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.

Thank you for your support throughout the year. Sue and Pete Nickisson

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/ . Autumn/Winter Opening Hours: we are open Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Sunday Roasts - you may have heard that our Gaggle Sunday Roasts are very popular. Just a reminder that if you would like to eat at the Gaggle on a Sunday then always best to book in advance. You can do so in person, by calling, emailing or via social media. Don't miss out! Tikka Curry Van generally visits Buckland Newton on alternate Wednesdays.

Ultrafast Fibre Internet in Buckland Newton

Wessex Internet has brought full fibre broadband direct to homes and

businesses in Buckland Newton and surrounding areas. All these

properties can benefit from full fibre connections, which is also known as

Fibre to the Premise (FTTP). This means a fibre optic cable goes all the

way to a home or business directly from the provider’s network, rather than

stopping at a cabinet down the road, which is known as Fibre to the

Cabinet (FTTC). Full fibre delivers far superior speeds and reliability

compared to copper or partial fibre networks.

For more information: https://www.wessexinternet.com or call 0333 240

7997.

Outreach Post Office The outreach Post Office is open in the Village Hall on Mondays 09:15 to11.45 and Fridays from 09.15 to 11.45.

Prescriptions

Prescriptions are delivered from Cerne Abbas Surgery to Old Chapel

Stores, usually after 3.30 pm, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Defibrillator

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 rubbish and

recycling days

Travel & Traffic / Road Closures

See Dorset Travel & Traffic page for road closures etc.

Weather Forecast

The nearest Met Office Weather Forecast location is Minterne Gardens.

Click for a 7-day weather forecast.

Flood Warden

Some homes in Dorset are at risk of flooding. Please see the Parish

Council website for information and advice. 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.

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. £1.50 buys you cake and coffee/tea.

Gaggle Events

Good news, we have printed more of our Lunch Club cards! If you haven't heard then we offer Club members 20% off food weekday lunchtimes! Perfect excuse to treat yourself to lunch at the Gaggle! If you don't yet have a card then ask for one next time you dine & pay....you can then use it for your next visit! Limited number of Gaggle Lunch Club cards available so don't miss out! Laser Tag – with so much space in the gardens, we are introducing Laser Tag at the Gaggle! We also have a giant inflatable tag arena! Perfect for parties and group bookings. New page on our website or have a chat with us for more details. And look out for pop-up laser tag afternoons when you can come and play. Axe Throwing & Archery! - bookable sessions in the Gaggle gardens across the week are now available through www.dorsetmedievalarchery.co.uk ‘Have a go’ axe throwing in the Gaggle gardens Saturdays from 4pm; pop along and try to win the best score of the day! Also see ‘Dates for your Diary’ below

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. Friday 26th June 2026, 10.30 am - 12.00 noon, BN Village Hall. Buckland Newton Village Café. Tea/coffee and cake - £1.50 - what a bargain! Let’s hope we have lovely summer weather. Come along and catch up with your neighbours and friends. Everyone very welcome - open to locals and visitors. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Sunday 28th June. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. All welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Sunday 28th June, 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm, The Old Rectory, Stock Gaylard DT10 2BG. ‘Tea in the Garden’. Fabulous Tea, Stalls and Raffle. Entrance £8.00 (includes Tea). Children under 10 free; well-behaved dogs on leads welcome. Proceeds to Lydlinch Church Restoration. Wednesday 1st July, 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Open Mic Night. Pop down from to enjoy and support local musicians…be brave and step up… Sunday 5th July. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Matins. All welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Sunday 5th July, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. The Hall Committee will be holding an Open afternoon and Afternoon Cream Tea at the Hall on Sunday 5 July between 2.00 - 5.00 pm, to celebrate all the amazing things that go on at the Hall, and to start to raise funds for the ongoing work that needs to be undertaken. We hope you can join us! Wednesday 8th July, Gaggle of Geese. We have teamed up with Dorset Artsreach to bring poetry and storytelling to the Gaggle. Funded by Inncrowd, tickets are free! But you must book them…. via the pub or www.ticketsource.com/gaggle ... Tickets available now. Thursday 9th July, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. Everyone and all crafts are very welcome. Bring along your latest project and/or just come along and have a natter and a piece of cake! Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Friday 10th July, 12.45 pm, The Swan in Sturminster Newton. On 10th July we’ll be lunching at The Swan in Sturminster Newton. The menu choices will be Sea Bass, Beef or Vegetable Lasagne, or Caesar Salad, followed by a small dessert with coffee or tea, or a large dessert without. Please let us know if you’d like to join in. Pub outings are only £12 a head for two courses for our members. We’ll be car sharing because parking is limited, so if you want to come along you might not even have to drive! Contact Cathy Shippey 01300 345339 or text 07391 195754 Friday 10th July 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, BN Parish Field (opposite BN School). FBNS Summer Spectacular Please come to the Parish Field on Friday 10 July from 5.00 pm to join in with the fun of the Friends of Buckland Newton School Summer Fair. There will be a BBQ, bar, raffle and various stalls and all being well a couple of performances from the children. All funds raised go to making our children’s time at BNS that extra bit special. Saturday 11th July, 10.30 am, BN Parish Pavilion. Buckland Newton History Group. All are welcome. The History Group is now up and running with approximately a dozen members interested in researching and archiving the history of Buckland Newton. The long-term aim is to publish the results, perhaps as a book, series of books or on-line. We are currently looking to catalogue all the previous research, articles, etc. that have been carried out by others over the years, to avoid replicating any future research. If you have looked into any aspects about the history of the parish or have any relevant old photos, documents, deeds, etc. about Buckland Newton that you would be willing to share, please contact us. Andy Waring at andywaring12@gmail.com or John Baker at johnbaker386@outlook.com Saturday 11th July, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, The Village Green, Sydling St. Nicholas DT2 9SY. Entry £2.00 - Under 16’s Free. Punch & Jusy, Scrufts Dog Show, Petless Pet Show, Raffle, Cerne Abbas School Choir, Dorchester YMCS Gymnasts, Fortune Teller, Treasure Hunt, Bouncy Castle, White Elephant, Plants, Tea & Cake, BBQ, Bar & Ice Creams, plus lots more! Sunday 12th July. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 a.m. Holy Communion. Refreshments will be served after the service. Wednesday 15th July, 2.15 pm, Lydden Vale Gardening Club. Visit to The Blooming Wild Nursery at Horsington BA8 0AD. Cost £7.50 The nursery has… “A wonderful range of Herbaceous perennials, Ornamental grasses and Wildflowers to help attract wildlife to your garden or outdoor space throughout the seasons, plants are grown peat free and chemical free.” The owners Steven and Lindsay will show us round. They are an RHS recommended nursery specialising in not only wildflowers for Meadows, but unusual perennials including that dark Astrantia! It’s worth googling their selection. Tea and cake are included in the entrance fee. NB No need to pay in advance but to ensure enough cake please let me know whether you intend to come by the 9th July. Jan Burnett on greystonejan@gmail.com or Tel. 01300 348627 Thursday 16th July, Gaggle of Geese. Drive-In Cinema! We are hosting a drive-in cinema evening in the Gaggle gardens. With a giant screen! We will be showing the popular comedy horror, Shaun of the Dead. Just £20 a car or choose a Meal Deal or VIP option. Pizzas, ice-creams and drinks delivered to your car! Tickets available over the bar or via www.ticketsource.co./gaggle Sunday 19th July. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00pm. All-Age Family Service. A Short informal service. Refreshments will be served after the service. Thursday 23rd July, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. Everyone and all crafts are very welcome. Bring along your latest project and/or just come along and have a natter and a piece of cake! Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Saturday 25th July, 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm, The Manor House, Buckland Newton DT2 7BX. Tea in the garden on a Summer's afternoon. What could be better than a sunny afternoon spent in a beautiful garden with tea and cake? Just what we all enjoy, so join us, courtesy of Mrs Sarah Covell at the Manor House, Buckland Newton on Saturday 25th July from 2.30 to 4.00 pm, for tea, coffee, home-made scones and cake. All in aid of the ongoing fundraising for the Chancel Roof repairs to Holy Rood Church. Tickets are available at £10 pp from Old Chapel Stores in Buckland Newton, or from Diana Wells on 01300 345454 or Jon Sulkin on 07971 277584. To date the amount raised is £37,000 so still a fair way to go. Saturday 25th July, Gaggle of Geese. Gagglefest – our annual family friendly music festival. Seven bands, two stages, kids’ zone, BBQ, laser tag, mobile barber, pizza, axe throwing, three bars and more! Tickets on sale now over the bar and via www.ticketsource.co.uk/gaggle Sunday 26th July. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 a.m. Holy Communion. Refreshments will be served after the service. Friday 31st July, 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, BN Village Hall. Village Cafe. Tea/coffee and cake- £1.50 - Bargain !! Come along and catch up with friends and neighbours. Everyone welcome. Open to locals and visitors. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Sunday 2nd August. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Matins. All welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Sunday 9th August. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 a.m. Holy Communion. Refreshments will be served after the service. Wednesday 12th August, Gaggle of Geese. We have teamed up with Dorset Artsreach to bring poetry and storytelling to the Gaggle. Funded by Inncrowd, tickets are free! But you must book them…. via the pub or www.ticketsource.com/gaggle ... Tickets available now. Sunday 16th August. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00pm. NB All- Age Family Service date and time to be confirmed. Sunday 23rd August. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 a.m. Holy Communion. Refreshments will be served after the service. Monday 31st August, 12.oo noon to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Buckland Newton Village Fete.