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 and the ‘Dates for Your Diary’ entry for Sunday 27th September and Saturday 10th October below.

Defibrillator

A Defibrillator is housed in a blue, UNLOCKED cabinet on the

outside wall of BN Village Hall by the back door, under the veranda.

It is available for use in an emergency, after dialling 999 and as advised

by the paramedics.

There is a second Defibrillator in the Buckland Newton School car park, again in an unlocked cabinet. You just fetch either from their cabinets.

In an emergency, ring 999, then click here for list of runners who will

bring the defibrillator to you.

Neighbourhood Watch Alerts

5th August 2026. Broadband and Mobile Provider Account Takeover and Identity Fraud Alert Details of other Neighbourhood Watch Alerts and advice

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

An on-line version (October) is available at Lydden Vale News 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 also available at the same location.

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/ . 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.

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.

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. For more information:

https://www.wessexinternet.com or call 0333 240 7997.

Outreach Post Office The outreach Post Office is open in the Village Hall on Mondays 09:15 to 11.45 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.

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…

Bonfires - please consider your Neighbours

Please be considerate if you wish to have a garden bonfire, especially in

the current dry conditions. Sparks can very easily cause an uncontrolled

fire in grass and dry leaves. 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: 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

Taking a break! – after working 37 weekends in a row and a busy summer, we and the team are taking a break for a bit of family time. The pub will be closed from Friday 23rd October until 2pm on Thursday 29th October. 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! Christmas Functions - our diary is open for Christmas group bookings and functions. Get in touch if you have a date in mind or would like to be sent the Christmas Menu. 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 1st October, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. Our sessions for October will be on Thursdays 1st, 15th and 29th, 2-4pm at the Gaggle of Geese. Everyone is very welcome to join us, with whatever craft you like to do, or just come along and natter and have a piece of cake !! See you there Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Saturday 4th October, 11.30 am, Pulham Church. Harvest Thanksgiving. Service in the church, followed by light refreshments. All welcome. Donations of tinned or dried foods are invited which will be given to Sherborne Food Bank. Hope to see many of you there. Sunday 4th October, Holy Rood Church, Buckland Newton. Harvest Festival. To be followed by a Bring & Share Supper with a sale of lovely local produce - donations welcomed! However, if you wish to donate other goods, that will be just as acceptable. As ever there will shortly be a box in Holy Rood for the local food bank ready to take any tinned, dried, packet or long-life food you may wish to leave. Please make sure that everything is within the use by date. All fresh food given will be sold on the night with proceeds going to RABI. As this is a Bring & Share Supper, it would be good not to duplicate too much, so please contact Jan Burnett on 348 627 or email greystonejan@gmail.com or Carol Grant on 345 119, email carolgrant.sw@gmail.com to tell us what you wish to bring or we have some ideas for you, but nothing complicated. Also, please remember to Bring Your Own liquid refreshments plus a plate and cutlery. Wednesday 7th October, 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Open mic’ Night. Pop down to enjoy local musicians. Or be brave and join in with a song or two. Saturday 10th October, 10.30 am, Parish Pavilion. Buckland Newton History Group. All are welcome. The History Group is now up and running with approximately a dozen members interested in researching and archiving the history of Buckland Newton. The long-term aim is to publish the results, perhaps as a book, series of books or online. We are currently looking to catalogue all the previous research, articles, etc. that have been carried out by others over the years, to avoid replicating any future research. If you have looked into any aspects about the history of the parish or have any relevant old photos, documents, deeds, etc. about Buckland Newton that you would be willing to share, please contact us. Andy Waring at andywaring12@gmail.com or John Baker at johnbaker386@outlook.com Saturday 10th October, 3.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Holy Rood Church Community Meeting. An open forum concerning the future of Buckland Newton Church. As you are no doubt aware, we have been regularly fundraising for the essential repairs to the Chancel Roof. We still have a long way to go until we are able to instruct the building works to start and all the necessary funds need to be in place before anything can begin. Shape the Future of Holy Rood Church. Saturday 10th October is your chance to voice your views and opinions on this amazing, historic building at the heart of our village. Spare a moment to think of the times you have sat in a pew for a special event, would you mind if it wasn't there? Holy Rood is vulnerable and needs help, our help, everyone's help. This is not just another church, it is Our Church in Our Village, and we very much want this much-loved building to remain at the heart of the village life that we love. Holy Rood is ours, it belongs to us and its future depends on us. Please come to these community meetings with your questions, criticisms, ideas and thoughts, we must work together for everyone's sake. Sunday 11th October, Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. Everyone welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Sunday 11th October, 2.30 pm, Parish Paddock. Buckland Newton Environment Group Work Party. The Parish Paddock is the small field of rough grass by the side of the playing field in Buckland Newton. It is being managed to encourage wildflowers and nature. The grass has been cut and put in heaps ready for being used for mulching a newly planted hedge which has been planted around the fence. The Buckland Newton Environment Group are planning a work party on Sunday October 11th from 2.30pm onwards to mulch the hedge. It would be wonderful if anyone would be prepared to volunteer their help; accompanied children are welcome, bring a wheelbarrow and fork if possible. Many hands make light work! - John Simpson - enquiries: johnsimpson57@yahoo.co.uk Wednesday 14th October, 6.45 pm for 7.00 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Lydden Vale Gardening Club. Celebrity Speaker NICK BAILEY of GARDENER’S WORLD fame, “Confessions of a TV Gardener”. This is a ticketed event. Members £5 - visitors £10. Tickets available from The Old Chapel Stores or email greystonejan@gmail.com or by phone 01300 348627 Thursday 15th October, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. Our sessions for October will be on Thursdays 1st, 15th and 29th, 2-4pm at the Gaggle of Geese. Everyone is very welcome to join us, with whatever craft you like to do, or just come along and natter and have a piece of cake !! See you there Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Friday 16th October, 12.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Second Friday Lunch Club. Please note that this month’s Lunch Club will be held on the THIRD FRIDAY, ie. 16th OCTOBER, because that is when the Fish n’ Chip van can provide our lunch, with a menu of small or large cod, battered or plain jumbo sausage, or scampi, all served with chips of course. Cathy Shippey Email: catherineshippey54@gmail.com Phone: 01300 345339 or 07391 195754 Friday 16th October, 1.10 pm to 2.10 pm, BN Village Hall Car Park. The Fish and Chip Van will stay on after serving The Lunch Club so that other villagers may take advantage of their visit. Saturday 17th October, 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Willow Lantern Making. Join Sarah & Noah making willow lanterns for the village bonfire parade. Get in touch to book a space – just £5.00 per person for materials. Be shown how to make your own lantern. Kits also available for you to buy over the bar and make at home. Saturday 17th October, 7.30 pm, Buckland Newton Village Hall. Artsreach presents “When the Morning Stars Sang (& The Angels Shouted for Joy)”. Demons, Archangels, Djinns & The Voice from the Heart of the Whirlwind. Mystery Tales from Christian, Islamic & Judaic sources. Hugh Lupton & Sarah Moody. “’ master storyteller… a haunting sound-world’ - The Guardian. Tickets £14, £6 (u 18s) in person fom The Old Chapel Stores or call 01300 345455. Cash Bar + refreshments available. Suitable 14+ Sunday 18th October, 10.00 am. Community Litter Pick. Meet at the Parish Pavilion at 10.00 am to receive equipment and get areas assigned. All welcome to help keep the parish looking tidy and litter free. Sunday 18th October. Service at Holy Rood Church. 4.00 pm All-Age Service. Wednesday 21st October, 8.30 pm start, Gaggle of Geese. Pub Quiz. Fun evening of head scratchers, cryptic clues and general knowledge. Teams of up to 6. £2.00 per person or free if you dine before the quiz. Booking required. Probable future quiz dates are 18th November and 16th December. Saturday 24th October, 9.30 am - 12.30 pm, BN Village Hall. Buckland Newton Youth Club Car Wash. Saturday 24th October, 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm, BN Village Hall. Buckland Newton Village Hall Games Afternoon. An afternoon of fun, laughter and games for everyone, young and not so young with traditional pub classics like darts, dominoes, skittles, scrabble, jigsaws, guess the person, what's in the bag and more brainteasers. There is the option of making up a team of 6 or coming on your own. Entry is £5 per person to play all the games. If you don’t want to play, that’s fine, just come and watch. There will be coffee, tea and home-made cakes on offer at £5 per person whether you play or not. There will also be a raffle. So come along, have fun, chat with friend and support our community. All proceeds will go towards the ongoing Chancel Roof Repairs of Holy Rood, Buckland Newton. Tickets from Diana Wells 01300 345 434, Jon Sukin on 07971 277584 or from The Old Chapel Stores, Buckland Newton. If you would rather just come for the tea, it would be helpful to know for numbers. Thank you. Sunday 25th October, Service at Holy Rood Church. 9.45 am Holy Communion. Everyone welcome, refreshments will be served after the service. Thursday 29th October, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. ‘Knit & Natter’. Our sessions for October will be on Thursdays 1st, 15th and 29th, 2-4pm at the Gaggle of Geese. Everyone is very welcome to join us, with whatever craft you like to do, or just come along and natter and have a piece of cake !! See you there Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Jane Willis 01300 345477 Friday 30th October, 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, BN Village Hall. Village Cafe. Coffee/Tea and cake - £1.50 - Bargain ! Everyone welcome - locals and visitors. Come along and catch up with your friends and neighbours. See you there. Lyn Cox 01300 345739 Liza Hill 01300 345230 Friday 30th October, 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Parish Field. Buckland Newton Youth Club Pumpkin Festival. Saturday 31st October, Gaggle of Geese. Gaggle Halloween. Spooky disco, party bags, discounted cocktails! Dressing-up optional; prize for best costume! Free entry. Boogie from around 8.00 pm. Free entry & free treat bag for all! Wednesday 4th November, 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. Open mic’ Night. Pop down to enjoy local musicians. Or be brave and join in with a song or two. Thursday 5th November, Bonfire Night, from 5.00 pm, Gaggle of Geese. The annual Village Bonfire & Fireworks in the Gaggle gardens. Willow lantern parade from the Parish Field (opposite the school) from 5pm. Bonfire lit around 6.00 pm. Fireworks around 7.00 pm. Fireworks, bar, BBQ, hog roast and hot chocolates! Walk to the pub if you can or please park considerately if driving. Kids under 12 free entry. Older kids & adults £8.00; pay on arrival. Weather dependent! Weather dependent – so keep an eye on website and social media!