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

Parish Paddock - FWAG Draft Proposal

Following the public meeting which was held on Wednesday 13th September to explain the proposals for the Parish Paddock, Parish Councillors thought it would be a good idea to make the presentation available on the website. Parishioners can email their comments to Parish Clerk on bucklandnewton@dorset-aptc.gov.uk - the deadline for comments is 20th September 2023. Click here to view the Draft Proposal Presentation

Helping farmers and land managers navigate changes

brought about by the Agricultural Transition

The support continues to include: Transition workshops: Local workshops to discuss the changes coming through the transition and look at new funding options, as well as planning strategies for the future. One-to-one support: Access free one-to-one support with an experienced agricultural advisor to talk specifically about your farm business and develop an agreed and documented action plan. Small group webinars: Attend small group webinars covering topics such as digital skills, succession planning, woodlands, environmental schemes, soil management, diversification, marketing, business planning and grant schemes. Digital training: Build digital confidence and gain IT skills to better manage your farm business.The sessions are delivered in a no-nonsense, practical, and supportive manner, free of jargon!  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.

Dorset Council launches The Housing Strategy

Consultation

Residents who take part will have the opportunity to influence the council’s approach to housing over the next five years. The consultation is primarily a questionnaire, with some space for free text, it’s anticipated it will take just minutes to complete. The aim is for as many people as possible to contribute with their views about what is important to them. Key issues such as housing need, supply, and standards are some of the issues highlighted. The over-arching aim of the consultation however is simple, to hear what residents have to say. Councillor Graham Carr-Jones said “The housing strategy is for and about the residents of Dorset. Dorset Council does not want to produce a strategy without collaborating with the people it is about and the people it is for. Our residents’ feedback is as important as ever and when we’ve consulted in the past we have been encouraged by the response. The consultation is for everyone, individuals, families, organisations, people of all ages and backgrounds.” Visit the website to take part in the consultation. There are also short videos about residents’ experiences. The consultation is open for 10 weeks. If residents are unable to complete the consultation on -line or wish to request a paper copy, please call 01305 221000 for further information. The strategy will run from 24 July 2023 for ten weeks and closes on Monday 2nd of October. An evidence-based document will also be available for anyone who chooses to read it, it is not compulsory. It can be accessed on the consultation site or at libraries. Paper copies will need to be returned by 6th October 2023. Any queries should be directed to: housingstrategyproject@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Country Watch Dorset

Dorset Police have launched Country Watch Website, a one-stop rural resource centre for all things rural crime related in Dorset. #CountryWatch Check out the website here: http://www.countrywatchdorset.co.uk/

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 (September 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.

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/ . Simon and Sarah write: “With the summer almost over, we are looking ahead to Autumn and even Christmas! Lots of exciting events and key dates coming up including the return of pub quizzes, the Village Firework Night, Craft Fayre and Xmas dinners! As part of our planning, 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 to most residents in Buckland Newton. You will need to contact your broadband supplier (ISP) to change over to fibre; this is not automatic and will usually cost more than a non-fibre connection. Houses served by Cabinet 2 (by the church) still cannot get fibre and there do not appear to be any plans to change this situation. 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/

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.

More from the Village…

Planters under the Village Name Plates

The Parish Council would like to thank Chris and Jane Hildred for looking after these planters for many years; their time spent on up-keep and creative planting has been very much appreciated. The idea of the planters is to make drivers aware that they are entering a village and to encourage them to reduce their speeding through the village. The Parish Council are now seeking new volunteers to help maintain them. If you are able to help, please contact the Parish Clerk.

Bonfires - please consider your Neighbours

With Autumn arriving, 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. £1.20 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. Friday 29th September, 10.30 am until noon, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Village Cafe. Coffee/tea and home-made cakes for only £1.30. A good time to catch up with friends and neighbours. No-one will try to promote or sell you anything. If you are new to the village - come along and meet us all. Open to everyone - locals and visitors. See you then. Lyn Cox 345739 Liza Hill 345230. Saturday 30th September, 7.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Harvest Supper. Tickets £12.00 inclding 2-course supper - a buffet of gammon + quiche and fresh salads followed by desserts made by the ladies of Buckland Newton. Licensed bar. Help us celebrate and donate “fresh produce” we can auction after supper - all proceeds will be split 50/50 with Holy Rood Church and RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute). Licensed Bar. Tickets from Jon Sulkin 07971 277584 or Diana Wells 01300 345434 or dianawells588@gmail.com Sunday 1st October, 6.00 pm, Holy Rood Church Buckland Newton. Harvest Festival Service. Sunday 1st October, 11.00 am, Pulham Church. Pulham Church Harvest Festival. 12.15 pm - Bring & Share Lunch in Pulham Village Hall. Tea and coffee available; you’re welcome to bring your own alcohol. The Church collection will be for Farm Africa. Donations of tinned or dried foods are invited which will be given to the Sherborne Food Bank. Saturday 7th October, 7.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Artsreach presents ‘Firelight Trio’ with a dazzling tapestry of European folk music. For full details and ticket prices and availability click on the graphic at left. Wednesday 11th October, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. Katharine Crouch, one time winner of the BBC Gardener of the Year is booked, talking about “New Tricks for old Gardeners”, a subject which should appeal to many of us! Visitors very welcome at £3.00 pp. Wednesday 11th October, 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. Saturday 28th October. Gaggle Halloween - spooky fun and thrills for the kids. More details next month. Sunday 5th November, Gaggle of Geese. Village Bonfire and Fireworks - our popular fireworks evening. Wednesday 8th November, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. This evening sees the return of our own homegrown Roy Godwin talking us through a year in the life of the Sculpture Gardens at Pallington Lakes. Visitors very welcome at £3.00 pp. Wednesday 15th November, 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. Wednesday 22nd November, Gaggle of Geese. Willow Weaving Workshop. Tickets available soon via our website. Saturday 25th November, Gaggle of Geese. Christmas Craft Fayre - supporting local crafters and artists. Get in touch with Sarah if you would like to book a stall. 01300 345249. Wednesday 6th December, 7.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Helping farmers, their families and their businesses to navigate the Agricultural Transition. Click for full details of this free seminar. 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. 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.