Buckfastleigh Community News

At our Annual Town Council Meeting held on 21st May 2025, we are pleased to advise that Councillor Sue Clarke was re-elected as Town Mayor and Chair for another term with Councillor Paul Georghiades as her Deputy.

We are still looking to fill Councillor vacancies. If you meet the criteria and would like to make a difference in your community, please contact Judith, our Town Clerk, email: clerk@buckfastleigh or tel: 07904033616 for further information or take a look at our website: www.buckfastleigh.gov.uk

The deadline for the next round of smaller grant applications is 31st August 2025. Details regarding all types of grant applications can be found on our website or call into the Town Hall any morning from 9.00am to 1.00pm.

The next Town Council meetings will be held on:

• Wednesday 16th July
• 20th August
• 17th September

All meetings are at 7.00pm in the Town Hall. Everyone is welcome.

And finally, don't forget Buckfastleigh Water Day on Saturday 26th July from 11.00am to 3.00pm at the Orchard Millennium Green. A joint family-friendly event organised by the Town Council in partnership with Dartmoor National Park to highlight the importance of how water has shaped our community, how it is managed and what to do in the event of an emergency. The event will include stalls, food, music, children's activities and a visit from our local Fire Service.

Join us for a craft workshop over the summer - suitable for adults and children aged 9+ (children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult).

• Pom Pom Bear Key Ring - 15th August 10:30am-12:00pm OR 1:00pm-2:30pm
• Needle Felted Fox Brooch - Friday 22nd August 10:00am-12:00pm OR 1:00pm-3:00pm

These workshops will take place in the Education Centre at Buckfast Abbey (near The Grange Restaurant).

As numbers are limited, please secure a place by emailing: education@buckfast.org.uk

£10 per person

FREE drop-in craft activities for families on Wednesdays in August. These will take place in the School Room (next to Buckfast Abbey Church) from 10:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-2:30pm.

• 6th August – Butterflies
• 13th August – Key rings
• 20th August – Flowers
• 27th August – Snakes

Suitable for all aged 3+ (all children must be accompanied by an adult).

Join us for a delightful Summer Garden Trail at Buckfast Abbey, perfect for families looking for a fun and educational outing. The trail runs from 4th to 31st August, offering a wonderful opportunity to explore the beautiful grounds of the Abbey.

Trail sheets are available for just £1 from the Gift Shop. Once you've completed the trail, don't forget to collect a small prize from the shop as a memento of your day.

We hope to see you there, enjoying the summer days and the splendour of our gardens. For more information, feel free to visit our website or contact us directly.

Contact: Buckfast Abbey Gift Shop
Website: www.buckfast.org.uk

All Ability Yoga with Qualified Teacher Kevin Mitchell of Wellswood Yoga

Drop In All Ability Yoga on Wednesdays

A friendly all ability group yoga class at St Luke's Church, Buckfastleigh. Wednesdays, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Entrance is at the back of the church. Regulars, Drop Ins and Visitors welcome. No need to book, just turn up. Free parking available at Victoria Woodholme car park.

One to One Yoga
Individual Yoga tuition for one or two people in their own home.

Private Classes for Groups and Organisations
Ideal to promote wellbeing in the workplace or other settings.

Yoga has many benefits for people of all ages. It:

• Improves strength, balance and flexibility.
• Helps with anxiety & stress.
• Assists with back pain.
• Can ease arthritic symptoms.
• Benefits heart health.
• Can help you relax and sleep better too.

Contact Kevin on: 07540 751745 / email: wellswoodyoga@gmail.com Website: www.wellswoodyoga.com

Friday July 4th - Book Tickets for Challacombe Chronicled here! https://dandelion.events/e/p2b1n
Experience Dartmoor’s rich history and landscapes through the power of poetry and dance. Challacombe Chronicled sees Devon’s award-winning company Richard Chappell Dance and leading South West poet Saili Katebe explore themes of care, renewal and resistance.

Saturday July 5th - Family Show - The misadventures of Thor and Viking Shield Workshop (https://dandelion.events/e/b8s8t)
THOR! Tall…brave…strong…but none too bright. Sometimes his days are not always full of heroic thunder, but instead are filled with hapless blunder!

Like the day he was almost married to an oafish giant. Or when he thought he was shortchanged as the golden presents were handed out. And then there was the time he had to be rescued by his own son, Magni, who was only three days old!

These ancient Nordic tales are brought to you by Ulf and Odd, two skalds, or storytellers, in a comedic romp through the life and times of the Viking gods.

Angel Heart and Rattlebox Theatre present this family show with their usual flair for skilfully blending puppetry, storytelling and larger-than-life characters into a performance full of wonder and delight! SKOL!

Suitable for children 4 years+ and accompanying adults.

Show running time is 60 mins (no interval) with an opportunity to meet-and-greet puppets and performers afterwards.

www.angelhearttheatre.com

We are a friendly group who meet twice a month in the Kings Arms, Buckfastleigh on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Members bring their own projects and tips and skills are shared, as well as information about useful resources or events. Sometimes we natter and sometimes we knit, either way, it is an opportunity to chill and catch up.

Next dates: 10th & 24th September; 8th & 22nd October.

If you want to have a chat before joining us for the first time, then please call me, Dawn, on 07990 332816.

Summer Together! Join us in Buckfastleigh for a wonderful summer camp and holiday provision for young people aged 8-14, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays during August, from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Organised by the Moor Imagination Centre and Maverick Learning Community, this is an exciting opportunity for children to make friends and explore new interests.

• Activities: Arts and crafts, music, drama, circus skills, board games, martial arts, table tennis, cooking, and outdoor play.
• Schedule: Each day begins with an opening circle and ends with a closing circle, where reflections are shared.
• Flexibility: Sign up for one day, several, or all 12 days!
• Cost: Fees are on a self-selecting sliding scale. Please contribute what you can.
• Childcare Support: Maverick Learning Community is Ofsted registered, offering fee support for eligible families.

Experienced facilitators will create a respectful and joyous space, celebrating young people's autonomy and curiosity. For more details and to sign up, please visit our website.

We welcomed John Brodribb to our meeting in July. He gave us an excellent introduction to our local caves and the Pengelly Cave Centre. We learnt many interesting facts about the caves, local geology and lime kilns. Some of us are looking forward to visiting the centre in August. John kindly stayed to answer questions and judge our competition – some beautifully decorated stones. Georgina was awarded 1st prize, with Liz 2nd and Jill 3rd.

We were pleased to be asked to help at the OMG Fun Day. We had a great time, the weather was perfect and it was lovely to see so many local families enjoying the day.

We are now planning our upcoming events, including our coffee morning at the Valiant Soldier. We are raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice so please come and support us; there will be plenty of yummy cakes on sale. The date for your diary is Saturday, 13th September from 10:00 to 12:00.

We have no meeting in August as we will be off to Exmouth for our River Exe Cruise. Our next member’s meeting is on Tuesday, 9th September. Do come along and join us – it would be lovely to meet you and your first visit to us is free. The WI is a great place to make new friends and become involved in local and national events. Our meeting is from 19:00 to 21:00 in the lounge at St Luke’s Church, Buckfastleigh. For more information, you can also contact us at buckfastleigh@devonwi.org.uk.