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?

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 a small amount of information about the intention by Openreach to change all landlines to digital by 2025. 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 (February 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 will 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.

To register your interest please visit https://www.wessexinternet.com or call

0333 240 7997.

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.

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. Saturday 7th March 2026 10.00am to 12.00 noon,

Buckland Newton Village Hall. Defib and CPR practical Training

Morning. Led by Alan Hale, who runs an excellent practical session.

Anyone can attend. £5.00 (Runners free). Contact Fizz Lewis

froglewis@hotmail.com to book a place.

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

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. From Thursday 5th February, Gaggle of Geese. Six Nations Rugby - catch the key games on the Gaggle projector and with a pint or two! Games start from Thursday 5th February. First England game (against Wales) is on Saturday 7th Feb. Sunday 15th February. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00 pm All-Age Family Service. Everyone welcome, shared tea after the service. Sunday 15th February, 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. Friends of Pop Mallers Coppice - Community Workday. Pop Mallers Coppice is a 14-acre woodland on the left of Spring Grove in between Buckland Newton and Duntish, used regularly by a handful of local residents who have 'permissive use'. We are holding another Community Workday with our friends from Buckland Newton Environment Group on Sunday 15th February between 10.30 and 4pm. Come along and join us, learn about coppicing, why it's important, its history and how to do it. If you are handy with a bowsaw, billhook or loppers please bring them with you or simply turn up and do as much or as little as you like. All ages and abilities can be accommodated and there's no obligation to stay for the whole day. We'll provide tea, coffee and biscuits but you may want to bring some lunch if you plan to come for the whole day. If you're not up to a bit of manual work, you could help by baking a cake and coming along anyway to support the other volunteers and see what's going on. If you're interested, please get in touch or look out for our Facebook post nearer the time and don't forget your tools & gloves! If the weather is poor on the 15th, we'll postpone the event until the following Sunday. ///shape.sparkle.cavalier ST6903 0608 Damian Brothers and Emma Munday damian.brothers@phonecoop.coop or emmamunday@btinternet.com Wednesday 18th February – Saturday 21st February, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Piddle Valley Players present ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’. Tickets are £15.00 available at www.piddlevalleyplayers.co.uk Thursday 19th February, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. Come along and join us with whatever craft you like to do - or come along for the “natter”. Everyone very welcome. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Saturday 21st February, 11.00 am to 3.00 pm, Holy Rood Church. The Great Teddy Bear Zip Wire Challenge. Intrepid, brave or just plain bonkers! Teddy bears of all shapes and sizes are invited to risk life, limb and their dignity to whiz down a zip wire from the Organ Loft to the Pulpit in Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton on Saturday 21st February from 11am until 3pm The morning will get underway from 11am with special prizes for the Best Dressed Teddy, Best Named Teddy, Fastest Descent. Don't have a Teddy? Well, any soft toy can also have a go, or 'Rent-A-Ted - there will be a selection of willing participates just waiting to be picked out of the basket by you, hoping to make it down safely to lots of cheers. There is even a rumour of a dragon having a go……… To keep the Teddy Bear owners' strength up for this exhausting challenge, Bacon Butties, home-made soup, proper coffee, teas, soft drinks and cakes will be served. There will also be a Cake Stall with marmalade, chutneys, jams and jellies for sale plus a raffle. Each run down the wire will be £2 or 3 goes for £5 all in aid of Holy Rood Chancel Roof Fund, Buckland Newton. Meanwhile, the Bell Tower will be open for guided tours at 12 and 2pm Sunday 22nd February. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. Everyone welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Sunday 22nd February, 4.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. ‘Serendipity’ Concert of Music and Readings. On Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, Serendipity Recorder Consort will be giving a concert of music and readings in Buckland Newton Village Hall, starting at 4.30pm. All the money raised will be given to the Doctors’ surgery in Cerne Abbas and used to provide new chairs, with arms, for the waiting room. Tickets at £10 (free for children under 15) will be available on the door or from the village stores in Buckland Newton and Cerne Abbas (cash only). Over the years, many of you will have been to concerts given by this group, which Pete Willis started in the late 80s. There will be readings and music from across the centuries and from several genres, using recorders of all sizes, including the famous ‘drainpipe’. The concert will be based on the theme, ‘Matters of the Heart’. Details of how to get tickets will be in the February edition of the LVN. Do, please, come and join us for an enjoyable afternoon of music and readings, with cake, tea and coffee served during the interval. Call Jane on 01300 345477 for more details. Wednesday 25th February, 8.30 pm start, Gaggle of Geese. Our popular monthly Gaggle Pub Quiz. Fun evening of head scratchers, cryptic clues and general knowledge. Teams of up to 6. £2 per person or free if you dine before the quiz. Booking required - 01300 345249. Thursday 26th February, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm, Piddlehinton Village Hall. ‘Piddle Valley Twinning’ Quiz. £10.00, to include 1 drink, nibbles and a simple Ploughman’s. Bar. Teams of up to 6. Please phone 01300 348015 or 348154 to reserve a table. Friday 27th February 2026, 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Village Cafe. The cafe is always on the last Friday of the month from 10.30 to 12 noon in Buckland Newton Village Hall. Everyone welcome. Come along and catch up with friends and neighbours. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Sunday 1st March, 3030 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Artsreach presents Kitzlar: Who runs the World? Girls” Meaning girls in Turkish, KIZLAR is a celebration of what it means to be female. Combining Turkish folk dance with stunning athletic movement, this captivating show presents different images of femininity, from the tender to the powerful. With an all-female company, KIZLAR transforms traditional male Turkish folk dances into a powerful, sensual, and visually stunning performance, accompanied by a hypnotic, rhythmic soundtrack which blends Eastern sounds with modern beats. Having worked with Ceyda Tanc in a series of workshops, community dance groups Movers & Shakers and Dorset Youth Dance will perform a short curtain-raiser ahead of the show. There will also be the opportunity to dance socially after the show and learn a few steps from the company. Touring Dorset as part of the programme by Artsreach, Dorset’s rural arts charity. www.artsreach.co.uk Click on graphic at left for full details Wednesday 4th March, 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Open Mic Night. pop down from 8pm to 10pm to enjoy and support local musicians. Or be brave and join in with a song or two. Saturday 7th March 2026 10.00am to 12.00 noon, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Defib and CPR practical Training Morning. Led by Alan Hale, who runs an excellent practical session. Anyone can attend. £5.00 (Runners free). Contact Fizz Lewis froglewis@hotmail.com to book a place. Tuesday 10th March, 7.00 pm, Parish Pavilion. Buckland Newton Parish Council Meeting. All welcome to attend. Wednesday 11th March, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. The programme for the New Club Year is a full one starting on Wednesday 11th March, when our speaker, Mike Burks of Castle Gardens, will present an illustrated talk on the subject of “Weed Control”; a practical guide using chemical and non-chemical methods. The Summer months will see a series of visits to renowned gardens, horticultural establishments and estates. The autumn and winter will see a series of eminent speakers including TV Personality, Nick Bailey, of Gardeners World. Antony Parson Saturday 14th March, 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm. Lent Lunch. Our Lent Lunch this year is by kind invitation of Mrs Bridget Hodges at Purbeck House. A wonderful selection of home-made soup and bread will be served. As in previous years, donations will be divided between WaterAid and Holy Rood Chancel Roof Fund but there will also be a box for tinned and packaged foods in Holy Rood to go to the Sherborne food bank. Saturday 14th March, 6.30 pm to 10.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. St.Patrick’s Event. Looking for your support in this upcoming event. CountryMen UK enables older men to access a local farm to take part in maintenance, animal care, woodwork and gardening. CountryMen UK supports elderly men who may have PTSD, Parkinsons, Dementia or who are socially isolated. All proceeds go to the charity. Sunday 15th March, Gaggle of Geese. Mothers’ Day - Treat Mother to a Gaggle Sunday roast. Tables available from midday until 5pm. Book through the pub (01300 345249) or our website www.gaggleofgeese.co.uk

Buckland Newton Community Website

in the heart of rural Dorset