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 by 2025. 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 (March 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.

To register your interest please visit https://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. Saturday 7th March 2026 10.00am to 12.00 noon,

Buckland Newton Village Hall. Defib and CPR practical Training

Morning. Led by Alan Hale, who runs an excellent practical session.

Anyone can attend. £5.00 (Runners free). Contact Fizz Lewis

froglewis@hotmail.com to book a place.

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…

2025 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. The Fete Committee will

be meeting this month to consider all the submitted funding applications.

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

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. From Thursday 5th February, Gaggle of Geese. Six Nations Rugby - catch the key games on the Gaggle projector and with a pint or two! Games start from Thursday 5th February. First England game (against Wales) is on Saturday 7th Feb. Sunday 1st March, 3030 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Artsreach presents Kitzlar: Who runs the World? Girls” Meaning girls in Turkish, KIZLAR is a celebration of what it means to be female. Combining Turkish folk dance with stunning athletic movement, this captivating show presents different images of femininity, from the tender to the powerful. With an all-female company, KIZLAR transforms traditional male Turkish folk dances into a powerful, sensual, and visually stunning performance, accompanied by a hypnotic, rhythmic soundtrack which blends Eastern sounds with modern beats. Having worked with Ceyda Tanc in a series of workshops, community dance groups Movers & Shakers and Dorset Youth Dance will perform a short curtain-raiser ahead of the show. There will also be the opportunity to dance socially after the show and learn a few steps from the company. Touring Dorset as part of the programme by Artsreach, Dorset’s rural arts charity. www.artsreach.co.uk Click on graphic at left for full details Monday 2nd March to Saturday 28th March. Buckland Newton’s Children’s Literary Festival 2026. In partnership with Buckland Newton School & Youth Club, children and young people will: w/c 2nd March: work with the Bank of Dreams & Nightmares to write their stories. w/c 9th March: work with a young illustrator to illustrate their agreed story. w/c 16th March: work with musicians to put their story to music w/c 23rd March; work with Jo Simons, artistic Director, to perform their story. Final Performance on Thursday 26th March at 3.30 pm at Buckland Newton Village Hall. Exhibition of work on Saturday 28th March between 10.00 am and 12.30 pm at Village Hall. Other Activities: Thursday 5th March (World Book Day), 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Over 18? Belong to a Book Cub (or would like to start one) come along, bring a book, meet other groups and interested people to share your favourite story, talk about books, have a glass of wine and eat cake. Cost £3.00 per person. Thursday 12th March 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Buckland Newton does Scrabble night. Bring your Scrabble board and a team of 4 to the Village Hall. Prizes for highest individual and team scores! Families welcome - cost £3.00 per person, includes tea/coffee/ squash and biscuits. Friday 20th March 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm. Age 0-16? Join Buckland Newton Youth Club’s volunteers and Sherborne Lbrary staff to read aloud your favourite children’s story and listen to others read. Beanbags, biscuits and squash available. FREE EVENT - Families welcome. To book a place e-mail BucklandNewtonYC@gmail.com Wednesday 4th March, 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Open Mic Night. Pop down from 8pm to 10pm to enjoy and support local musicians. Or be brave and join in with a song or two. Thursday 5th March, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. All crafts and skills levels welcome. Bring along whatever you like to do - and/or - come along and “natter” ! Everyone very welcome. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Saturday 7th March 2026 10.00am to 12.00 noon, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Defib and CPR practical Training Morning. Led by Alan Hale, who runs an excellent practical session. Anyone can attend. £5.00 (Runners free). Contact Fizz Lewis froglewis@hotmail.com to book a place. Sunday 8th March. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. All welcome, refreshments will be served afterwards. Tuesday 10th March, 7.00 pm, Parish Pavilion. Buckland Newton Parish Council Meeting. All welcome to attend. Wednesday 11th March, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. The programme for the New Club Year is a full one starting on Wednesday 11th March, when our speaker, Mike Burks of Castle Gardens, will present an illustrated talk on the subject of “Weed Control”; a practical guide using chemical and non-chemical methods. The Summer months will see a series of visits to renowned gardens, horticultural establishments and estates. The autumn and winter will see a series of eminent speakers including TV Personality, Nick Bailey, of Gardeners World. Antony Parson Friday 13th March, 12.15 pm for 12.45 pm start. Second Friday Lunch Club. Our outing this month is to: The Green Man, Kings Stag - 12:15 for 12:45 start. The menu is as follows: • Steak and Ale Pie with roasted carrots and creamy mashed potato • Hunters Chicken with BBQ sauce, bacon, cheese, chunky chips and coleslaw and to follow: • Sticky Toffee Pudding or Vanilla Creme Brulee served with cream, custard or ice cream. Members may recall that at our AGM it was agreed that outings would in future increase to £12 per person. If you have not already done so, please confirm your attendance to Bridget Hodges (01300 345493). Saturday 14th March, 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm. Lent Lunch. Our Lent Lunch this year is by kind invitation of Mrs Bridget Hodges at Purbeck House. A wonderful selection of home-made soup and bread will be served. As in previous years, donations will be divided between WaterAid and Holy Rood Chancel Roof Fund but there will also be a box for tinned and packaged foods in Holy Rood to go to the Sherborne food bank. Saturday 14th March, 6.30 pm to 10.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. St.Patrick’s Event. Looking for your support in this upcoming event. CountryMen UK enables older men to access a local farm to take part in maintenance, animal care, woodwork and gardening. CountryMen UK supports elderly men who may have PTSD, Parkinsons, Dementia or who are socially isolated. All proceeds go to the charity. Sunday 15th March, Mothers’ Day. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00 pm All-Age Family Service. All welcome. Sunday 15th March, Gaggle of Geese. Mothers’ Day - Treat Mother to a Gaggle Sunday roast. Tables available from midday until 5pm. Book through the pub (01300 345249) or our website www.gaggleofgeese.co.uk Thursday 19th March, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. All crafts and skills levels welcome. Bring along whatever you like to do - and/or - come along and “natter” ! Everyone very welcome. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Sunday 22nd March. Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. All welcome, refreshments will be served afterwards. Wednesday 25th March, from 8.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Our popular monthly 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 27th March, 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Village Cafe. The cafe is always on the last Friday of the month from 10.30 to 12 noon in Buckland Newton Village Hall. Everyone welcome. Come along and catch up with friends and neighbours. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Sunday 29th March. No Service at Holy Rood Church but Benefice Communion at Cerne Abbas at 11.15 am. Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th April (Easter Weekend), Gaggle of Geese. Bring the kids down for a free Easter Treasure Hunt. And Otter Brewery will be doing a ‘tap takeover’ showcasing their range of ales at the Gaggle over the weekend. Likely to be a busy weekend so please book if you would like to eat. Pub closed on Easter Monday. Saturday 9th May, 10.00 am til 12.00 noon. Buckland Newton Plant Sale. Thinking about sowing some seeds or dividing perennials, remember to pot up a few extras and donate to the Buckland Newton Plant Sale, in aid of Weldmar Hospice. To get involved, donate plants, or run a stall contact Kate Parish: bucklandnewtonyc@gmail.com