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 a small amount of 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 (May 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.

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.

More from the Village…

2026 Village Fete

We made over £6,000 at this year’s Fete – an amazing result so thanks

again to everyone who contributed to its success.

If you would like to join the Fete Committee, and we always welcome any new members, or help in any other way, then please do get in touch at info@gaggleofgeese.co.uk.

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

please see: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/environmental-

health/bonfires.aspx

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! Axe Throwing & Archery! - we have teamed up with Dorset Medieval Archery to offer axe throwing and archery in the Gaggle gardens. 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. Thursday 14th May, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit and Natter’. Everyone very welcome to come along and join us with whatever craft you like to do and/or Natter too! We often have knitting, crochet, tapestry, quilting and felting all happening - so it’s quite a hive of activity. And - there will be cake See you there Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Sunday 17th May. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00 pm All Age Family Service. Sunday 24th May. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. All welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Thursday 28th May, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit and Natter’. Everyone very welcome to come along and join us with whatever craft you like to do and/or Natter too! We often have knitting, crochet, tapestry, quilting and felting all happening - so it’s quite a hive of activity. And - there will be cake See you there Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Friday 28th May, 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, BN Village Hall. Village Cafe. Tea/coffee and cake - £1.50 A good opportunity to catch up with neighbours and friends. Everyone very welcome - locals and visitors. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Sunday 31st May. No Service at Holy Rood Church, but Benefice Communion at 11.15 am at St, Mary’s Cerne Abbas. All welcome. Saturday 6th June, 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm, The Manor House, Piddletrenthide. Piddletrenthide and Plush Village Fete. Wednesday 17th June. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. An advance notice regarding the visit on Wednesday 17th June to the Dorset Walled Garden at Upper Sydling House. This is rarely open to the public and was described by House & Garden magazine as “A harmonious Dorset rose garden designed by Isabel and Julian Bannerman”. The owner, Susanne Cooper turned a farmyard into a walled garden encompassing vegetable, cut flowers and stock beds within a framework of herbaceous borders. Roses are abundant, tumbling and climbing everywhere, she has 120 different varieties and 400 individual plants. More details will follow in June. Meanwhile if interested contact Susie on susiejkeys@icloud.com. Cost of entry is £25.00 but for LVGC members £15.00 pp. Sunday 5th July, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. The Hall Committee will be holding an 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 16th July, Gaggle of Geese. Drive-In Cinema! We are hosting a drive-in cinema evening in the Gaggle gardens. With a giant screen! Keep an eye out for more details and ticket availability…coming soon on our website & social media. 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 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