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.

Severe Winter Weather Preparation and Response

Dorset Council have issued a document describing Council and Parish Council response to severe winter weather.

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 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.

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 (March 2025) 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.

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/ . Opening Hours - We are closed on Mondays & Tuesdays for the winter months. This is to help with our work / life balance and family time! Open from 11.30am Wednesdays and then throughout the week. 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 is bringing full fibre broadband direct to homes and

businesses in Buckland Newton and surrounding areas. Connectivity to

fast, reliable broadband is being made possible due to the government’s

Gigabit Voucher scheme. This enables communities to request

government backing to bring ultrafast broadband to their area, making it

viable for internet companies to bring their networks to harder-to-reach

communities with the help of government subsidies.

Wessex Internet has been at the forefront of bringing broadband to rural

and underserved communities in Dorset and neighbouring counties, and it

has now reached a stage where around 200 homes and businesses in the

Lydden Vale will be able to receive the service. 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 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.

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 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…

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.

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. Tuesday 25th March, 6.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Buckland Newton Youth Club Family & Friends Annual Quiz. If you would like to support your local Youth Club please come and join us for our annual family and friends quiz night in the Village Hall at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 25 March. Teams of 6 - no charge just a donation. Wednesday 26th March, 8.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Pub Quiz. Our popular 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. Friday 28th March, 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, BN Village Hall. Village Cafe. Held on the last Friday of every month in Buckland Newton Village Hall from 10.30 - 12 noon The next one will be on Friday 28th March. £1.50 for tea/coffee and Cake - what a bargain! Open to everyone - locals and visitors - for an informal friendly get together. Look forward to seeing you there Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Sunday 30th March, 9.45 am. Mother’s Day ervice at Holy Rood Church. Everyone welcome, refreshments served afterwards. (Note that this replaces the Benefice Service at Cerne Abbas advertised previously) Wednesday 2nd April, Gaggle of Geese. Willow Weaving. A day course learning how to make willow plant supports for the garden. Lunch, tea & cake included! Tickets available via www.ticketsource.co.uk/gaggle or by contacting the pub on 01300 345249. Thursday 3rd April, 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Netball Night - Coaching & Game. Free! For ages 7+; Age Appropriate Groups will be created. An Adults/Parents session can be run if there is demand. Meet at Buckland Newton Village Hall. E-mail bucklandnewtonyc@gmail.com to book a place. Saturday 5th April, 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm. Lent Lunch. The second Lent Lunch will be by kind permission of Mrs Bridget Hodges at Purbeck House, with donations to WaterAid and the Chancel Roof Repair Fund. We will serve a selection of home-made soups and crusty bread, do come and join us. Saturdays 5th, 12th & 19th April, 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Axe Throwing! We have teamed up with Glen from Dorset Medieval Archery to offer axe throwing in the Gaggle gardens 5 to 7pm. Be taught the art of axe throwing and then see if you can win a prize by setting the highest score of the day! No need to book, just pop along and have a go for just £6. Easter Weekend - 18th, 19th 20th April, Gaggle of Geese. Bring the kids along to enjoy the Gaggle gardens and follow clues on our Easter Treasure Hunt…. whilst you enjoy a drink and bite to eat! Wednesday 30th April, Holy Rood Church. We are delighted to announce that the Sherborne School Swing Band have agreed to come and play in Holy Rood on Wednesday 30 April. Up to 21 young players comprise this group so it will be a loud and jolly evening. This will be the next big fund raiser for the Chancel Roof Repairs. More details of time and ticket prices in due course. Saturday 3rd May, Gaggle of Geese. Join us in celebrating having been open for 7 years! Be great to see the village community for live music with Nina Garcia and evening food in the garden. Saturday 10th May, 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. Buckland Newton Plant Sale.