© 2026 Buckland Newton Community Website Committee Last updated 9th June 2026 12:30 Website design and update by Jeremy Collins
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
• 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
The on-line version of the Lydden Vale News (June 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.
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.
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
Travel & Traffic / Road Closures
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.
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:
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.
Thursday 11th June, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit &
Natter’. Our sessions for June will be on Thursdays - 11th and 25th From
2-4pm at the Gaggle of Geese 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 ! We are currently working on a community project for
which we need yarn. If you have any spare red yarn (maybe tucked away
in a drawer or cupboard) which you would be willing to donate to us, we
would be very grateful. We are happy to collect. Please let us know. Lyn
Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477.
Friday 12th June, 12.45 pm, BN Village Hall. 2nd Friday Lunch Club.
We’ll be in Buckland Newton Village Hall, serving up Teriyaki Salmon or
Cold Cooked Gammon, followed by either Bakewell Tart or Pavlova.
If you’re looking to make friends and meet some nice people, and have a
good chat and laugh, come along and have a delicious home-cooked meal
for £10 a head, or £12 for a pub outing. All you need to do is to contact
Bridget Hodges on 01300 345493, or email her at
bridget.hodges@btinternet.com to join the Club. We’d be very pleased to
see you. Similarly, if you’d like to find out more about being a helper for the
Club, please contact Bridget or myself. It’s a very rewarding activity.
Cathy Shippey (01300 345339).
Saturday 13th June 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, The Halsey Arms, Pulham.
Coffee morning in aid of Pulham Church Fund.
Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th June, Holnest Church. Flower Festival
with cream teas. Concert with the Stanchester Choir on Saturday at 6.00
pm.
Sunday 14th June. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy
Communion. All welcome, refreshments will be served after the service.
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 on the Lydden Vale Gardening Club page. Meanwhile if
interested contact Susie on susiejkeys@icloud.com.
Cost of entry is £25.00 but for LVGC members £15.00 pp.
Saturday 20th June, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, Buckland Newton School
Hall. Little Advernturers Jumble Sale. Little Adventurers are holding a
Jumble Sale on Saturday 20th June from 10 am to 1 pm at Buckland Newton
Primary School hall.
We are currently looking for items to sell and prizes for our raffle.
Proceeds from the Jumble Sale will go towards equipment to enhance the
children's outdoor play area, especially a new mud kitchen.
If you have any items that need a new home, please bring your donations
along to the school between 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Any items that are not sold on the day we will be taking to Weldmar charity
shops.
Thank you for your help, and we look forward to seeing you on the day.
Kate Morgan
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June. Cerne Abbas Open Gardens.
On the afternoons of 20th and 21st June circa 24 private gardens will be
open to raise money for the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, and to
renovate the Squibb Garden in the village.
All gardens are within easy walking distance of a free car park, and owners
will be on hand, happy to chat.
The church will be showing a seasonal flower display, and our popular
plant stall will once again be available outside the Church for you to
purchase.
Teas will be also be served in the vicarage garden.
Do join us for this very special year ��…it will be the 50th occasion we
have opened our gardens - it’s a truly unique opportunity to see behind
many of our picturesque and historic houses.
Visit our website for further information
www.cerneabbasopengardens.org.uk
Sunday 21st June, 8.00 am to 3.00 pm, Glanvilles Wootton and
surrounding area. Tractor Run. Click on graphic at left for more info.
Sunday 21st June. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00 pm All-Age
Service. All welcome to this short, family-friendly service.
Thursday 25th June, 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 ! We
are currently working on a community project for which we need yarn. If
you have any spare red yarn (maybe tucked away in a drawer or cupboard)
which you would be willing to donate to us, we would be very grateful. We
are happy to collect. Please let us know. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane
Willis 01300 345477
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.
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 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.
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!
Wednesday 15th July, 2.15 pm, Lydden Vale Gardening Club. Visit to
The Blooming Wild Nursery at Horsington. Further details next month.
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
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
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.
Buckland Newton Community Website
in the heart of rural Dorset