Buckfastleigh Community News

If you or someone you know is concerned about managing home heating costs this winter, Devon Communities Together offers FREE confidential advice sessions. Our team can assist with accessing financial support, saving energy, understanding tariffs, and managing heating oil for those off-grid. Plus, we're giving away cozy fleece blankets while supplies last!

Don't hesitate to reach out:

• Phone: 01392 248919
• Email: anderson.jones@devoncommunities.org.uk
• More info: Energy Outreach Project page

Come join us at Buckfastleigh Football Club on Saturday, March 8th for the Friends of St. Mary's Quiz Night, starting at 7pm. It's a fantastic opportunity to have a delightful evening while supporting St. Mary's Primary School.

• CASH PRIZE!
• Maximum team size: 6 members
• Entry fee: £2 per person (free for primary-aged children)
• Children's quiz: £1 entry with a guaranteed prize
• Raffle and sweet treats for sale
• Drinks available from the bar (card payments accepted at the bar, cash only for quiz and raffle)

All are welcome to this fun-filled evening! For more information, please contact the Friends of St Mary's School directly.

Join the Moorland Community Caring for our Moor Social events at Buckfastleigh Bowling Club, Duckspond Road, TQ11 0NL. These social gatherings are a fantastic way for anyone aged 50+ to connect with peers, enjoy engaging activities and indulge in delightful refreshments.

The events are set for Wednesday, March 5th and Wednesday, March 19th, from 12:00 to 14:00. A suggested donation of £5 covers a tasty meal of soup, sandwiches, and pudding.

Need a lift? We can help with transport. Call us at 07794 5992056 or email info@moorlandcommunitycaring.org.uk for more info or to arrange transport.

Moorland Community Caring invites members of the community to volunteer at their Moor Social events at Buckfastleigh Bowling Club. Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 12:00 to 14:00, these events are vital for supporting the over 50s in our area.

Volunteers help with room setup, food preparation, and serving hot drinks. No experience is needed, just a friendly smile and a willingness to help. Whether you can commit regularly or occasionally, your support is invaluable.

Interested in helping out? Contact us at 07794 599206 or info@moorlandcommunitycaring.org.uk.

Join Purl and a Pint at The Kings Arms, Buckfastleigh, for evenings filled with creativity and companionship. We meet every other Wednesday, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, engaging in knitting, crochet, and felting – crafts that not only offer artistic fulfillment but also promote sustainability.

Mark your calendars for these dates:

• Wednesday, 12th & 26th March
• Wednesday, 9th & 23rd April
• Wednesday, 14th & 28th May

Interested? Call Dawn at 07990 332816 for a chat or more information. We're excited to welcome new and returning crafters alike!

Explore the history of 'Roman Devon' at the History Society Buckfastleigh's March talk. Bill Horner, County Archaeologist, will present 'Roman Devon: A land of milk and honey' on Thursday, 20 March at 7:30 PM in Room 3, Buckfastleigh Town Hall, Bossell Road, TQ11 0DD.

This session promises to be an informative journey through Devon's Roman heritage. All are welcome to join and discover more about our fascinating past.

Contact us for further details about the event and other society activities.

This February, the Share Shed, a project by the Network of Wellbeing, is thrilled to offer a 30% discount on all reservations and loans. This special promotion makes it even more economical for the South Devon community to borrow instead of purchase.

Our extensive collection features over 350 items, including tools, kitchen appliances, and outdoor equipment, available across seven locations. We strive to help our community save money and reduce waste.

The Share Shed also provides free membership to low-income households and champions inclusivity through a Pay-It-Forward scheme, making sure everyone has access to our resources.

For more details, visit our website or contact us to discover more about our services and how you can participate in this fantastic saving opportunity.

This year marks a special milestone for the Valiant Soldier Heritage Centre as we celebrate our 25th season of sharing local history and culture. We're excited to announce the opening of our New Visitor Centre, enhancing your experience with us.

Opening Times: Starting from Wednesday, March 26th, we are open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 3:30pm (last entry at 3pm). Additionally, we plan to open on Sundays from the end of July through August, as well as on Bank Holidays. Interested in hosting an event? Please visit us for room hiring details or check our website at valiantsoldier.org.uk.

We are currently looking for a Cleaner for a few hours each week and a specialized cleaner for our artefacts every few months. Specialist training for museum cleaning activities will be provided. Interested candidates can call 01364 644522 or visit the Visitor Centre to speak with Val for more information.

We also have opportunities for Volunteers who can dedicate a few hours each week. Our volunteers are crucial in various roles, including guiding visitors, staffing the reception desk, and providing admin and IT support. To join our wonderful team, please email info@valiantsoldier.org.uk or call 01364 644522.

Don't miss our current exhibition, Buckfastleigh 100 years ago, part of the Festival of Devon in the 1920s. Discover fascinating stories about local figures like George Moore, a baker-turned-photographer, and Mr. Abbott, a headmaster and dedicated photographer known as 'clicky'. Explore their contributions to local photography at the exhibition.

Support the Valiant Soldier Museum & Heritage Centre by participating in the Teignbridge Lottery for Communities. With just £1 a ticket, you could win up to £25,000, and 50p from every ticket supports our museum. The weekly draws take place at 8pm every Saturday. Tickets can be purchased through the link on the Teignbridge lottery website. Additionally, consider supporting our GoFundMe campaign for essential chimney and roof repairs. Every donation helps preserve our unique heritage.

The Methodist group continues to run Coffee Mornings in the Snug, a designated 'Warm Welcome Space'. Join us for a free cup of coffee until the end of March, every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. After March, coffee mornings will continue on a donation basis.

We look forward to welcoming you to our unique Museum and sharing more about our vibrant history and community contributions.

The community at St Luke's and Holy Trinity Churchyard is grateful for the festive flowers and wreaths this Christmas. As part of regular maintenance, all wreaths will be removed in March. For those who wish to retrieve special wreaths, please contact Trefor K Jones, Estate Manager, at 01364 643627.

Date & Time: March 18th, 2:00 to 3:30 PM

The Buckfastleigh Memory Café invites you to its final stationary session of the year. Spend a leisurely afternoon playing games, enjoying refreshments, and engaging in friendly conversation in a unique vintage train carriage.

This café serves as a supportive space for individuals dealing with memory challenges or a dementia diagnosis, along with their companions. No booking is required and a suggested donation of £2.50 per person is appreciated to help maintain this wonderful initiative.

To learn more, contact Kathrine at Kathrine@conversationworks.co.uk or call her at 07899 993134.

Dean Prior 100 Club

Congratulations to our February draw winners in the Dean Prior 100 Club! Our lucky members this time were:

• 1st: James French
• 2nd: Mr. J. H. Martin
• 3rd: Rosie Palmer

Thank you from Lynda Grieveson for your continued support.

Fundraising for Dean Prior Church

Our recent Soup and Pudding lunch, held on Saturday 8th, was a great success, raising £437.00. Thanks to all who contributed and helped. Don't miss our next event, a Coffee Morning on Saturday, May 3rd at the Village Hall. More details to follow.

For more information, please contact us.

Join us for a splendid evening filled with the lively sounds of swing, dance, and jazz, hosted by the Buckfastleigh Mothers' Union. Set in the charming Rattery Village Hall on Saturday 29th March 2025, this event promises to be a memorable night for all attendees.

Doors will open at 7pm, with the first half of the performance starting at 7:30pm. Refresh yourself and enjoy the night with a drink from our licensed cash bar. Tickets are priced at just £12.50 each, and it's all for a good cause, as this event is a fundraiser for the Mothers' Union.

Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketsource. For those who prefer a more personal touch, you can also secure your tickets by contacting Ruth Collop at ruthcollop@btinternet.com or on 01803-843452.

St Benedict’s Catholic Church in Chapel Street, Buckfastleigh is a friendly Catholic worshipping community served by our Parish Priest, Fr Francis Straw, from Buckfast Abbey. We warmly invite you to join with us on Saturdays at 5pm for Mass, followed by tea and coffee. Children are very welcome to enjoy our quiet activity area during the service.

Lent
All are welcome to join with us for special services and times of reflection in the six weeks leading up to Easter.

Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday, March 5th, we mark the beginning of Lent with a beautiful service where, together with the blessing and receiving of ashes, we are given the opportunity to take stock of our lives and make a new start—the perfect time to begin again. Ash Wednesday services on March 5th in this parish will be:

• Our Lady of Lourdes and St Petrock Catholic Church Ashburton TQ13 7AT at 10.15am
• Buckfast Abbey at 12.05 p.m. and 5pm
• St Dunstan’s Catholic Church South Brent TQ10 9AQ at 7.30pm

Stations of the Cross Fridays at 6pm
During Lent, you are warmly invited to join us as we focus on Christ’s journey to the cross. Our time of prayer, reflection, and adoration is followed by refreshments.

• 14th March St Benedict’s Catholic Church Buckfastleigh TQ11 0AJ
• 21st March Our Lady of Lourdes and St Petrock Catholic Church Ashburton
• 28th March St Dunstan’s Catholic Church South Brent
• 4th April St Benedict’s Catholic Church Buckfastleigh
• 11th April Our Lady of Lourdes and St Petrock Catholic Church Ashburton

Jubilee Year Lent Group Tuesday evenings at 7pm Parish Meeting Room Buckfast Abbey
2025 is a particularly significant year in the Catholic Church. A Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. During Lent, we will be meeting for a time of prayer and reflection on the six themes chosen by Pope Francis for this Jubilee Year in which we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope. All are welcome to attend.

• 11th March Care for Creation
• 18th March Food Poverty
• 25th March Modern Slavery
• 1st April Managing Debt
• 8th April Forgiveness
• 15th April Rest and Worship

Buckfastleigh Foodbank
There is a donation point for the Foodbank in St Benedict’s, and we thank parishioners for their continuing generosity. A list of items particularly needed is available in the church or on the Buckfastleigh Foodbank website.

Contact Details: parish@buckfast.org.uk
Telephone Fr Francis Straw: 01364 645526

Great news – Reverend Alexandra (Alex) Holmes has been appointed as the new Team Vicar within the Dart & Avon Mission Community. Alex will be working closely with Team Rector, Gina Radford, focusing particularly on serving the communities of Buckfastleigh and Dean Prior.

Alex plans to reside in Buckfastleigh and will contribute to our community on a half-time basis, dedicating the remainder of her time to pursue a PhD in Theology at the University of Exeter. Her research explores the Church's role in addressing societal injustices, promoting peace, and fostering reconciliation.

We are excited to welcome Alex to our community! She will officially join us in Buckfastleigh later this spring and is expected to be licensed on the evening of Tuesday, May 6th during a special service at St Luke's Church, Buckfastleigh. Everyone is warmly invited to attend and celebrate with us.

Sunday Services: Throughout March, our services will mostly adhere to the regular schedule with services at 11am each Sunday. Special services include Holy Communion on March 9 and 23, and a lay-led Morning Worship on the intervening Sundays. Note the exceptions: March 2nd will feature an evening Compline service at 6.00pm, and March 30th (Mothering Sunday) when a united service is planned with other churches in our Mission Community.

Foodbank Services: Our Foodbank is open for support, distributing food and essentials. For assistance, please call 01364 644485. The Foodbank operates on Friday mornings, though you can leave a message at any time. Additionally, our Foodbank Café hosts a CAB adviser and features weekly visits from various agencies offering help and advice.

For more details about our services and activities, please visit our website at www.stlukeschurchbuckfastleigh.org.uk. For personal inquiries, you can reach Team Rector Gina Radford at 07903 400480.

Join us for the World Day of Prayer on March 7th at 2:00 PM at St. Benedicts Church, Buckfastleigh. This year's service, prepared by the women of the Cook Islands, is a chance to come together in spirit and understanding.

The event aims to connect diverse communities through prayer and reflection, making it a profound experience for all attendees. We look forward to welcoming everyone who wishes to participate in this global day of prayer and unity.

For more details or inquiries, please visit our local community centers.

Join the Wellswood Yoga community for all ability yoga sessions at St Luke's Church, Buckfastleigh, every Wednesday from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Entrance is at the back of the church, and there's no need to book—just turn up. Free parking is available at Victoria Woodholme car park.

For those seeking a more personalized experience, Kevin Mitchell offers one-to-one and private group sessions, tailored to enhance wellbeing in any setting.

Experience the myriad health benefits of yoga, from improving physical strength to aiding in mental relaxation. For further details or to book a private session, contact Kevin at 07540 751745 or wellswoodyoga@gmail.com. More information can be found at www.wellswoodyoga.com.

The Buckfastleigh Mothers' Union held their Annual Meeting in February, where the committee was joyfully re-elected for another year. The meeting was graced with a fascinating talk by Lyn Thorn, the Church Warden for St Luke's, who shared insights into her diverse duties.

Looking ahead, our next gathering is scheduled for Thursday 6 March at 2:30 pm at St Luke's Church. We are thrilled to announce that John Tucker will enlighten us with a talk on Bees, Butterflies, and other insects. We warmly invite visitors to join our friendly group and share in this interesting session.

For those interested in learning more about the Mothers' Union or wishing to attend future meetings, please feel free to reach out to Janet Jones on 01364 643627.

Join us for an evening of Taizé singing at the Dragon Sanctuary, led by the experienced Leo and Sundara Sofer. Taizé is known for its simple yet profound songs from the Christian monastery in France, sung in various languages including Latin.

This event will feature a time for silent prayer and minimal teaching, focusing on the enjoyment of singing. Open to all, regardless of faith.

Details:

• Date: Sunday, 27th April
• Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
• Location: The Dragon Sanctuary, 34 Bossell Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DD
• Entrance: £7

Visit www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk for more information.

This March, the Woolly Nanas are delighted to invite the community to a series of wool craft workshops at The Wool Hub, tailored for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting, there's something for everyone!

Workshops include:

• Wet-felting a Chicken Basket - Saturday 15th March, 10.30am to 3pm. Cost: £55. Craft a unique 3D piece with guidance from Rita. Some prior felting experience is recommended.
• Rug Making Workshop - Saturday 22nd March, 10am to 4pm. Cost: £50. Create a small rug to your own design with Noni. Weaving experience is necessary.
• FREE Easter Needle Felting Drop-in - Saturday 29th March, 10am to 3pm. Suitable for ages 10 and up. Craft lovely items to either donate to The Wool Hub or take home for a small donation.

Children’s craft sessions (during school term):

• Felting Fun - Mondays, 3.30 to 5pm. Cost: £15 per session. For children 8 years and older.
• Young Weavers - Tuesdays, 3.30 to 5pm. Cost: £15 per session. Open to all ages, children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.

Weekly Drop-ins: Join us for a variety of crafting activities. Participation is free with a suggested donation of £5 where not stated otherwise. No booking required.

• Mondays - Felting with Marcelle, 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Tuesdays - Weaving, Knitting & Natural Dyeing with Noni, 10am to 1pm; Weaving with Annie, 1 to 3pm
• Wednesdays - Spinning and Weaving with Mandy, 10am to noon; Sock Club with Gill, 2 to 4pm (£5).
• Thursdays - Spinning and Knitting with Mandy, 10am to 2pm; Crochet and knitting with Ann in the mornings; ‘Sort It’ with Jackie, help with your wool project, 1 to 3pm on the 6th, 13th, and 27th March
• Fridays - Felting with Rita, 1 to 5pm

Special Event: Don't miss our family-friendly Woolfest on Sunday, 25th May at Millennium Green, Buckfastleigh. Celebrate all things woolly with fun activities for the whole family!

To book workshops and children’s sessions, please email woollynanas@gmail.com. Payment is required in advance, but free cancellation is available up to 7 days before the event.

For more information, visit us at 1 Fore Street, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0BT, check our website www.woolhub.org, follow us on Facebook at The Wool Hub, or on Instagram at thewool.hub.

The Buckfastleigh Women's Institute invites you to our next meeting on Tuesday, March 11th from 7pm to 9pm at Buckfastleigh Rangers Football Club, Duckspond Road. A £5 donation is suggested for non-members.

For more information, visit our Facebook page or contact us at 07884 221312 or buckfastleigh@devonwi.org.uk.

Enjoy an engaging program including a return visit from Ed Goodridge, crafting days at Manor House, and our annual quiz and skittles competitions. We're looking forward to meeting new friends and welcoming returning members!

Buckfastleigh Library invites you to enjoy our upcoming events and services! Here's what's happening:

Board Game Club: On Saturday, 22nd March from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, enjoy a variety of board games for ages 6 to adult. Assistance available, £1.50 pp includes free refreshments.

Bounce and Rhyme: Join us every Friday at 2:30 pm for a free song session for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers.

Our services include:

• Free hot drinks and snacks
• Community jigsaw, children's craft table
• Free Wifi, printing, and photocopying
• Support for book groups, housebound individuals
• Access to family history, books, eBooks, audiobooks

We're open to suggestions for new services or groups! Visit us or contact the library staff to share your ideas.

Join us for the Patchwork Quilt Challenge on Saturday, 15th March, from 10am to 3pm at St. Luke's. This event is perfect for anyone interested in learning how to quilt or just looking to spend a day filled with creativity and community spirit.

No experience is necessary, just come with a willingness to help and learn. Refreshments will be provided, and participants are asked to bring a packed lunch. It's a great way to make new friends and enjoy a creative escape. Don't miss out!

The Buckfastleigh Action for Nature Group started their Pollinator Project with a Seed Swap event on February 16th, featuring Frances Tophill from Gardeners' World. The project promotes urban pollinator health, allowing even those without gardens to participate by using container plants.

Couldn't attend? Updates about the project will be on our Facebook page, with more information available via email at buckfastleigh.nature@gmail.com or on our website at buckfastleighactionfornature.org.uk.

The Orchard Millennium Green invites the community to the Annual General Meeting on Monday, March 10th at 7:00 PM at the MIC. This meeting provides a platform to discuss plans for the year and engage with community suggestions.

Please note that the TeaHut will only be operational during our scheduled events this year due to volunteer limitations.

Here's our event lineup for this year:

• WoolFest: Sunday, May 25th, 2 PM to 5 PM
• FunDay: Sunday, June 29th, 12 PM to 5 PM
• Water Day: Saturday, July 26th
• Apple Day: Sunday, September 21st

For stall bookings at FunDay or Apple Day, please email rcprior96@gmail.com.

Contact rcprior96@gmail.com for more information about our events and volunteer opportunities.