Buckfastleigh Community News

Join us at The Singing Kettle, Fore Street, Buckfastleigh on Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM for our All Ability French Conversation Club. It's a great opportunity to practice your French in a friendly setting. The cost is £7 per person, including coffee and a croissant.

For more information, contact Jacquie Felix Mitchell at jacquiefelix@gmail.com or just turn up on the day.

Join us at Wellswood Yoga for our All Ability Yoga classes every Wednesday from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at St Luke's Church, Buckfastleigh. Entrance is at the back of the church, and no booking is needed. Free parking is available at Victoria Woodholme car park.

We also offer One-to-One Yoga and Private Classes for Groups and Organisations, perfect for enhancing wellbeing in various settings.

Yoga improves strength, balance, flexibility, and can help with various health issues like anxiety, stress, and back pain. For more details, contact Kevin at 07540 751745 or wellswoodyoga@gmail.com, or visit www.wellswoodyoga.com.

Need a venue with a view? Buckfastleigh Bowls Club offers their club room for hire, located at Duckspond Road, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0NL. With kitchen and toilet facilities, and a seating capacity for 48 guests, it's ideal for any gathering. The room also provides disabled access and parking.

To discuss your needs and our negotiable rates, or to book the venue, please get in touch with Denise at 07501 363937 or 01364 643172.

Join the Buckfastleigh Bowls Club at Duckspond Road, TQ11 ONL, for a series of engaging social events open to everyone. Our venue is accessible with free parking and offers a licensed bar.

Event Schedule:

• Wednesday, 13 November 2024 – 2pm: Bingo - £5/person, Raffle - £1/ticket, Cream Tea - £3.
• Wednesday, 11 December 2024 – 7pm: Quiz Night - £2/person, teams 1-4, Cash prize, Raffle - £1/ticket.
• Sunday, 22 December 2024 – 2pm: Christmas Carols, Raffle - £1/ticket, Mince pies - £2.
• Wednesday, 15 January 2025 – 2pm: 'A Day at Buckfastleigh Races' - Tote betting, Pasty and a Pint - £5.

Contact the clubhouse for more details. We hope to see you there!

The History Society Buckfastleigh is pleased to announce two upcoming talks. In December, join us at The White Hart, Plymouth Road, TQ11 0DA on Thursday 19 December at 7:30 PM for "Christmas Folk Traditions from Devon and beyond" by Rod Denley-Jones. Donations welcomed. Note: This event is not at the Valiant Soldier.

In January, explore the prehistory of South Dartmoor with Philippa Wood's talk "Walking with the Ancestors - A Brief History of Prehistory in South Dartmoor". Meet us on Thursday 16 January at 7:30 PM at the Side Chapel, St Luke's Church, TQ11 0DA. This talk also deviates from our usual venue and will not be at the Valiant Soldier.

Join us for these fascinating evenings of historical discovery. For more details, please contact the society directly.

New Winter Fuel Payment Guidelines: There are new eligibility requirements for the Winter Fuel Payment. Now, recipients must also receive benefits like Pension Credit or Universal Credit. Notifications will be sent in October or November, and payments are usually automatic, amounting to £200 for individuals under 80 and £300 for those over 80. For eligibility inquiries or assistance, call 01626 326171 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk/pensioncredit.

Free Christmas Meals: Buckfastleigh Town Council will deliver free Christmas meals on Monday, 23rd December. To request a meal, email admin@buckfastleigh.gov.uk or call 01364 642576 by Friday, 13th December. Please specify your meal and dessert preferences.

Notice on Fly Posting: Fly posting is illegal without consent and can lead to fines. Use the designated town notice boards for public postings.

A Heartfelt Thank You: Thanks to the Buckfastleigh Fire Station crew for setting up the Town Christmas Tree. Season's greetings from Mayor Sue Clarke and the Town Council.

For more information, visit buckfastleigh.gov.uk.

The History Society Buckfastleigh, supported by the Royal British Legion Buckfastleigh branch, is dedicated to preserving the memories of our local service personnel. We're compiling these stories into a book to ensure they remain part of our collective memory.

If you're a veteran, currently serving, or have a deceased family member whose story you'd like to share, we invite you to participate. You can either fill out a questionnaire or meet for an in-depth discussion. Please contact me at 07542 187137 to get involved.

The Buckfastleigh Residents Association has officially closed, after 25 years of dedicated community service. We extend our deepest thanks to all who have supported the association, especially those who have contributed to the transformation of the old play area into the vibrant Barn Park.

The management of Barn Park will now be handled by the Buckfastleigh Community Development Project (Trust), ensuring its continued enjoyment by the community. We are grateful for their support.

Barbara's fundraising quizzes will still continue, with the next quiz available from December 10th at Brainwave or 61, Barn Park for £1. The prize is a £10 shopping voucher, with a closing date of January 31st. Proceeds will support The Bungalow.

For more details or to participate, please contact the Buckfastleigh Community Development Project.

The Moorland Community Care Group invites you to the Moor Social Christmas party on Thursday 12th December, 14:00-16:00 at St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Ashburton.

Enjoy delicious food, festive cheer, and a fantastic raffle. Admission is free, donations welcome. Booking is essential by Thursday 5th December at 07794 599206 or info@moorlandcommunitycaring.org.uk.

Need help with transport? Please contact us. Celebrate this festive season with your community!

December is a special time at Buckfast Methodist Church as we joyfully celebrate both Advent and Christmas. The festive spirit is already in the air, and we have a series of events lined up to make this season memorable for everyone.

Community Carol Sing: Following our successful Community Harvest Celebration, we are thrilled to invite you to a Community Carol Sing at MIC on Saturday, 7th December at 5pm. Whether you love to sing or play an instrument, please come along and join in the festive cheer!

Carol Service at Buckfast Chapel: We warmly invite you to our Carol Service held in the stunning Buckfast Chapel, within the grounds of Buckfast Abbey. Mark your calendars for Sunday, 15th December at 3pm. It’s a perfect occasion to gather in the spirit of the season.

Our regular Sunday worship services will continue at the following times:

• 3pm on December 1st, 22nd, and 29th
• 3pm on January 5th, 19th, and 26th
• 10.30am on January 12th

Weekly Coffee Morning: Despite ongoing renovations at the Valiant Soldier, our beloved weekly coffee morning will still take place every Wednesday within the old pub itself. This gathering has blossomed into a friendly and informal group. If you're looking for some company, please feel free to join us!

Additionally, don’t miss the Moor & Messy Barn Christmas event at Cyril's Barn, Newcombe Farm, Coombe, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0JE on Sunday, 8th December at 3pm. For more details, visit http://ashburtonandmoor.org.uk/services.

With love and best wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year from everyone at Buckfast Methodist Church.

Thanks to a generous grant from the McCarthy Stone Foundation, the Buckfastleigh Memory Café will be hosting a delightful Christmas party at the Northgate Hotel, located near the serene Buckfast Abbey. This festive gathering is a break from our usual setting aboard the South Devon Railway carriage, ensuring a special celebration for all our attendees.

If you've not yet received your invitation or would like to join the festivities, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Kathrine.

Kicking off the new year, our first memory café session will be on Tuesday, 21st January 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. We'll be back in our quaint railway carriage at the South Devon Railway. This session will be quite exciting as we'll have the company of a couple of owls from the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm. Additionally, representatives from the Newton Abbot Museum will be sharing fascinating railway objects and introducing a new project. This gathering is open to anyone affected by dementia or other memory problems.

We're also thrilled to announce that we've been selected by the Coop as one of their local community causes for 2025. To support us, simply visit your Coop membership page and choose the Buckfastleigh Memory Café as your cause. Every selection helps increase the funds we raise for our activities.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and looking forward to seeing you in 2025!

For more information or to RSVP: Email Kathrine at Kathrine@conversationworks.co.uk or call 07899 993134.

For further details on supporting us through the Coop, visit www.membership.coop.co.uk.

As we embrace the holiday spirit and look forward to 2025, Purl and a Pint wishes everyone a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Join us at The Kings Arms, Buckfastleigh, for our knitting sessions every other Wednesday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. It's a great opportunity to learn or share knitting skills, work on personal projects, and discuss knitting resources and charity work.

Our next gatherings:

• 11th December
• 8th & 22nd January 2025
• 12th & 26th February 2025

Interested in joining? Call Dawn at 07990 332816 for a friendly chat.

Bounce and Rhyme: Join us every Friday until December 20th at 2:30 PM for free song, stories, and sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers. Interested in coordinating? Speak to us in the library.

Christmas in the Library: Enjoy decoration making at our craft table all through December, along with a community jigsaw and a selection of Christmas books.

Hibernating Animal Crafts: On January 3rd, from 11 AM to 1 PM, children can participate in making clay hedgehogs, pop-up bears, and dormice nests.

The Great Christmas Book Swap: From January 18th to 21st, bring a book to donate and get 50% off another, or buy something new.

Board Game Club: On January 25th, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, enjoy a variety of board games for £1.50 per person, including free refreshments.

For more details, visit or contact the library. See you there!

We invite you to come and celebrate the heart of Christmas – the birth of Jesus at St Luke's Church. This festive season, we have several special services planned, alongside our ongoing community support initiatives.

Christmas Services:

• Christmas Eve: Join us for a combined Crib and Carols Service at 2:00 PM. This child-friendly event will feature traditional Christmas carols and is open to everyone. It's a perfect way to pause and enjoy the spirit of the season amidst the holiday rush.
• Christmas Day: Celebrate with a special Christmas-themed Holy Communion service at 10:00 AM. All are welcome, regardless of age or church affiliation.

Regular Services:

• Sundays: Our usual services are at 11:00 AM every Sunday. Note these exceptions:
• December 1 and January 5: Evening Compline service at 6:00 PM.
• December 29: No service at St Luke’s; join a joint service at St Petroc’s, South Brent at 10:00 AM.

Foodbank Services:

Our Foodbank provides essential food and support. It operates on Friday mornings, but you can leave a message anytime at 01364 644485. The Foodbank Café offers not only food but also skilled advice from our CAB adviser and weekly visits from different agencies offering help and advice.

Contact Information:

For more details on our services and to get involved, visit our website at www.stlukeschurchbuckfastleigh.org.uk. For personal inquiries or further assistance, please contact our Team Rector, Gina Radford, at 07903 400480.

Celebrate the festive season with us at the Valiant Soldier Heritage Centre! Our Christmas Fair kicks off on Wednesday 4th December at 4pm. Enjoy a traditional Old-Fashioned Christmas Punch and a complimentary gingerbread treat at the Valiant bar, open until 11pm.

Don't miss the unique holiday gifts at our Pop-Up Shop in the Snug, featuring specially designed Valiant Mugs, our limited-edition 2025 Calendar, and Valiant Labelled Beer. Capture your festive moments at our Photo Booth with a Christmas-themed backdrop.

Exciting News! Our tourist information and reception area will undergo renovations this winter. Unfortunately, this means no room bookings are available during this period. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to unveiling the refreshed space!

Join us for a Coffee Morning every Wednesday at the Valiant Snug, from 10am-12 pm. It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a chat and learn more about our museum.

Create your own festive decor at our Christmas Wreath Workshop on Saturday 14th December, from 2-4pm. The workshop costs £25 per person, and all materials plus festive nibbles are included. Secure your spot by emailing info@valiantsoldier.org.uk or feel free to drop in, though space is limited.

Looking ahead, next year's exhibition will explore Buckfastleigh in the 1920's. We invite anyone with local family memories or photos from that era to share them with our Archive Group at valiantsoldierbuckfastleigh@gmail.com.

Support our cause and win big by purchasing a £1 ticket from the Teignbridge Lottery for Communities website. Search for The Valiant Soldier Museum and Heritage Centre to help fund our activities and projects. Visit our GoFundMe page for our chimney maintenance at https://gofund.me/f819a57a.

The museum will reopen on Wednesday 26th March 2025. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Buckfastleigh Mothers' Union is delighted to invite the community to our Christmas Tea on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at St Luke’s Church. Members will bring festive food and create cards for local Care Homes and those living alone. We'll also decorate our Christmas Tree, spreading holiday cheer.

Don’t miss our next gathering on Thursday, January 9, 2025, for a talk by Nickie Johnson on ‘Mary of Nazareth’ at St Luke’s Church from 2:30 pm. Visitors are welcome to learn and engage with our group.

For more details or to join, please contact Janet Jones at 01364 643627.

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.

Advent: Marking the beginning of the season of Advent, there will be an ecumenical Advent Service of Light at the Catholic Church in Ashburton - Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Petrock - on Tuesday December 3rd at 7.30pm and at the Catholic Church in South Brent – St Dunstan’s - on Thursday December 5th at 7.30pm. You are very welcome to attend and join us for refreshments afterwards.

Children’s Crib Blessing Service at St Benedict’s Church Buckfastleigh: On Wednesday December 4th, at 2pm, one of the classes from our parish school, St Mary’s, will be leading us in a pre-Christmas reflection, where Father Francis will bless the crib which will have been decorated with the children’s help. This is a wonderful service where we always enjoy the children’s presentation of Christmas - especially their beautiful singing!

Festival Carol Service at Buckfast Abbey: A traditional service of readings and carols will be held at Buckfast Abbey on Saturday December 21st at 3pm.

Christmas Eve: Especially for families, and those who prefer an earlier service, there will be a First Mass of Christmas at the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Petrock in Ashburton on Christmas Eve at 6pm. Children from our parish will be taking part. This is a lovely way to begin our celebration of Christmas. Midnight Mass will be held at Buckfast Abbey.

Christmas Day: We invite you to join us in the celebration of the birth of Jesus at St Benedict’s Catholic Church on Christmas Day at 10am. A later service at 11am will be held at Buckfast Abbey.

New Year: Whether you are a newcomer to the Catholic Church or you have just lost the habit of going to church and want to find your way back home, come along to our regular Mass on Saturdays where you will be most welcome. What better way to begin 2025.

Buckfastleigh Foodbank: There is a donation point for the Foodbank in St Benedict’s and we thank parishioners for their continuing generosity and especially all those who attended our parish Harvest Festival and gave so kindly for the Foodbanks of Buckfastleigh and Ashburton. A list of items particularly needed is available in the church or on the Buckfastleigh Foodbank website.

Father Francis and the parishioners of St Benedict’s Church Buckfastleigh wish you a most joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

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

The Dean Prior 100 Club is delighted to announce the results of our November draw. Congratulations to our lucky winners:

• 1st Place: Yvonne Dance
• 2nd Place: Linda Naughton
• 3rd Place: Valerie Chew

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our participants for your support, which continues to make a significant difference in our community. As noted by Lynda Grieveson, your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Join us for a rejuvenating midwinter retreat on January 11th at Pridhamsleigh, led by Kate Perry. From 10am to 2pm, indulge in a variety of yoga styles, relaxation techniques, guided meditation, Reiki healing, and a seasonal botanical feast.

No previous experience is required, and all materials are provided. The session costs £75, and spaces are limited. To reserve your spot, please call Kate at 07816355903.

This retreat is an ideal way to find peace and wellness in the midwinter season. We hope to see you there for a day of nurturing for the body and soul.

Join us at The Wool Hub for an array of wool craft workshops and activities suitable for all ages! From rug making to felting, there's something for everyone this holiday season.

Workshops: Advance booking required. Email woollynanas@gmail.com. Payment due in advance but is fully refundable if cancelled at least 7 days before the event. Note: No workshops from 23 December to 6 January.

• Wintertide Advent Wreath Making - Saturday, 30th November, 10am to 4pm. £20 to £30. Drop in, last entry 3pm.
• Needle Felting Christmas Decorations - Saturday, 14th December, 10am to 4pm. £15.
• Rug Making - Saturday, 7th December, 10am to 4pm. £60.
• Rug Weaving Skills - Saturday, 13th January, 10am to 2pm. £45.

Children’s Sessions: (During school term)

• Felting Fun with Marcelle - Mondays, 3.30 to 5pm. £15 per session.
• Young Weavers with Noni - Tuesdays, 3.30 to 5pm. £15 per session.

Festive Pop-up Shop: Handcrafted items available Sundays in November and December, 11am to 3pm.

Free Weekly Activities: Suggested donation £5. No sessions from 23 December to 6 January.

• Monday Felting with Marcelle - 10.30am to 12.30pm
• Tuesday Weaving, Knitting and Natural Dyeing - 11am to 3pm
• Wednesday Various activities - drop in and join in
• Thursday Spinning and Knitting with Ruth - 10am to 3pm, Crochet with Ann - mornings, Crochet for Young People with Carly - 3.30 to 5.15pm, ‘Sort It’ with Jackie - 1 to 3pm on specific dates
• Friday Felting with Rita - 1 to 5pm

Visit us at The Wool Hub, 1 Fore Street, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0BT. Stay connected through our Facebook page, The Wool Hub.