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

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

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.

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

https://mapping.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/mylocal/

Christmas and New Year bin collections: click for details.

Travel & Traffic / Road Closures

See Parish Council Travel & Traffic page

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.

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