Buckfastleigh Community News

Delve into the world of Feldenkrais with LifeWorks Somatics, designed to enhance your physical and mental well-being through movement and awareness. Our classes and sessions, led by the experienced Nikhila E M Ludlow, offer a unique approach to understanding your body and improving your overall health.

Whether you're looking to relieve tension, improve mobility, or simply find a new way to relax and de-stress, our Feldenkrais classes are the perfect solution. We also provide holistic counselling to support your journey to a healthier, more balanced life.

For more information or to book a session, please contact us:

• Email: info@lifeworks4.me.uk
• Phone: 07989 394904
• Website: www.lifeworks4.me.uk

Explore local history with the Buckfastleigh History Society at their upcoming talk on 'The Stover Canal, History, Decline and Restoration'. Join us on Thursday, 17 October at 7:30 pm at the Valiant Soldier, Fore Street, Buckfastleigh. This engaging session, led by John Ellis, is perfect for anyone keen on learning about our local heritage. Entry is just £3.

Don't miss this enlightening evening. For further details, please get in touch with the society or simply come along on the night. We look forward to welcoming you!

Newly qualified Pilates instructor, Lucie Lloyd, invites you to join her Pilates sessions at the Ashburton Arts Centre. Starting the 23rd of September, sessions will run as follows:

• Mondays at 19:45 for beginners
• Wednesdays at 18:00 for intermediate to advanced practitioners

Whether you're new to Pilates or seeking to challenge yourself, these sessions cater to all levels. For more information, contact Lucie at 07854 228236 or lucie.lloyd@outlook.com.

Join Purl and a Pint at The Kings Arms in Buckfastleigh for delightful evenings of knitting and conversation. We meet on selected Wednesdays from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Whether you're a novice or an experienced knitter, bring your projects and enjoy the camaraderie.

Don't miss Stitch Fest 2024, a must-visit for craft enthusiasts, on November 2nd and 3rd at Newton Abbot Racecourse.

Upcoming sessions are on September 11th & 25th, October 9th & 23rd, and November 13th & 27th. For more details or to chat before attending, call Dawn at 07990 332816.

Buckfastleigh Library is delighted to invite the youngest members of our community to their Bounce and Rhyme Sessions every Friday at 2:30 pm. These free sessions, run by Devon Family Hubs, offer a delightful half-hour filled with songs and stories tailored for babies and toddlers. It's a wonderful opportunity for little ones to enjoy the rhythm of language and the joy of a good tale.

For those who enjoy a bit of friendly competition, the Library is hosting a Board Game Club on Saturday, 19th October from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. This event welcomes families and friends aged 6 and upwards to enjoy a large variety of board games. Assistance with game play will be available, and the session costs just £1.50 per person, which includes free refreshments.

As October winds down, get ready for some Halloween fun with our Silly Spooky Crafts event on Thursday, 31st October from 11 am to 1 pm. We'll be making dancing skeletons, witches' cauldrons, and other creative items to celebrate the spooky season. This is a free drop-in event, and while there is no charge, donations are warmly welcomed.

For more information on any of these events, please feel free to reach out to the Buckfastleigh Library. Join us for fun, creativity, and community spirit!

Join us at the Valiant Soldier Museum and Heritage Centre for a spirited open bar evening this Friday, 1st November, from 6-10pm. Celebrate 'All Saint's Day' with a post-Halloween theme. Don your spookiest attire and enjoy the festivities in a historic setting.

The Valiant building, a gem dating back to the 1700s and a former pub until the 1960s, now serves as a captivating museum. Inside, you'll find the pub and living quarters preserved just as they were, complete with original artefacts. While we welcome a healthy flow of visitors, additional funding is always needed to maintain and preserve this historical treasure for future generations. Our wonderful team of unpaid trustees and volunteers make this possible, and we're always grateful for donations. To contribute, please visit our information centre, or get in touch at info@valiantsoldier.org.uk.

You can also support us by participating in the Teignbridge Lottery For Communities. Buy a lottery ticket online and search for our museum to both contribute and stand a chance to win a prize.

If you haven't yet visited this year, make sure to pop in before we close at the end of October. We're open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-3.30pm (last entry at 3pm), and it's free for TQ11 area residents. We have a variety of unique gifts for sale, including specially designed Valiant mugs, a 2025 calendar featuring old photos of Buckfastleigh, second-hand books, records, and delicious Salcombe Dairy ice-cream.

Our coffee mornings continue every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm at the Information Centre, where you can meet one of our trustees and learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Even though we close during the winter, our rooms remain available for hire. For the latest hire charges, please visit our website at valiantsoldier.org.uk.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported us throughout 2024. Your generosity helps keep our history alive and thriving.

Don't miss the Coffee Morning at Dean Prior Church on Saturday, October 5th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. Enjoy cakes, books, and a grand raffle. It's a wonderful opportunity to have a good natter with fellow community members!

Dean Prior 100 Club: Kudos to our September winners: Julia Wetherall, Pauline Mansfield, and Deborah Hedger. Thanks to Lynda Grieveson and all supporters for your contributions to our church.

For more information, please contact Lynda Grieveson. Your support is much appreciated!

On the evening of 23rd October, Buckfastleigh Fire Station will conduct a substantial fire exercise in the Buckfast Road and Strawberry Fields area, starting at 6pm and concluding by 10pm. This important training event aims to test the response procedures for a hypothetical large fire at the Flo Gas facility located at Bullycleaves Quarry.

Several fire engines and other emergency service vehicles will participate in the exercise. While every effort will be made to minimise disruption, there will be necessary road equipment, including firefighting hoses crossing roads at two locations: near the quarry entrance on Buckfast Road and from the entrance to Strawberry Fields on Dartbridge Road. Hose ramps will be installed to ensure drivers can safely cross over the hoses. However, if possible, choosing alternative routes during these hours would greatly aid in the smooth conduct of the exercise and is much appreciated.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and extend our gratitude in advance for your cooperation and patience. Please drive with extra care during this time as our firefighters and other emergency personnel work to enhance their readiness to protect our community.

Contact Information: For any enquiries or further information, please reach out to Buckfastleigh Fire Station directly.

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.

The Chosen
We are now watching Season Four of the multi-season TV series, The Chosen, which tells the story of the life of Jesus through the eyes of those who knew Him. We meet on Saturday afternoons at 1.45pm in the Parish Meeting Room at Buckfast Abbey, to watch this wonderful production and chat over a cup of tea or coffee. We usually finish by 3.30 pm.

Sacraments of Initiation for those who live in this parish:

• Would you like your child to receive their First Holy Communion next year?
• Does your teenage son or daughter wish to be Confirmed?
• Are you a Catholic adult who missed out on Confirmation and would like to be Confirmed?
• Are you a baptised Christian who would like to become a Catholic?
• Are you a Christian who has not been baptised and wishes to be baptised and received into the Catholic Church?

For a conversation about any of the above, please contact Father Francis. And if you have just lost the habit of going to church and want to find your way back home, come along to Mass where you will be most welcome.

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

The Buckfastleigh Mothers' Union invites all to their upcoming meeting on 3rd October at 2:30 PM in the lounge at St Luke's. This gathering promises an engaging afternoon that includes a talk on the virtues of organic farming and a chance to mingle over refreshments afterwards.

In October, we are delighted to welcome Russell Ashworth from Bowden Farm, who will be sharing insights into the 'green credentials' of organic farming. Many of you might already recognise Russell from his popular stall at our local Thursday market. It's a great opportunity to hear from him in a more detailed setting, and he might just bring along some organic treats for us to sample and purchase!

Our last meeting in September was quite enlightening, where Heidi Lewis discussed her inspiring work with the Church Army, and the origins of this notable organisation. Heidi, who previously served at St. Andrew's in Ashburton, has recently taken up a new role in Dartmoor, continuing her admirable community efforts.

If you're interested in learning more about organic farming, or simply wish to enjoy a warm, community-focused afternoon, do join us. Everyone is welcome!

Contact: For more information, please feel free to reach out to us.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks for the kindness and support you've all shown over the past months. Your words have deeply touched us, and it's been truly rewarding to see the impact of our initiatives on our beloved community.

Since 2020, we've been privileged to run a variety of programmes including Hello Summer, Little Lambs, and the Social Supermarket, alongside arts and creativity sessions, Talkative Tuesdays, Be Wild events, Game Nights, Lego Clubs, Be Active classes, and much more. We've also been able to provide individual grants and personalised support, while liaising with government bodies on your behalf.

Though Be Buckfastleigh is undergoing changes, our commitment to you remains. Our volunteers will continue to manage the Social Supermarket. We're hopeful to bring back Hello Summer next year if funding permits, and with the government's new household support fund announcement, we will assist in its administration within our community. Excitingly, Little Lambs will be restarting on Thursday, 3rd October.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that we will have access to The Living Room indefinitely. However, it will operate differently, available only by appointment. This space will host the SEND parent/carer support cafe and, hopefully, our arts classes. If you're interested in using The Living Room for meetings, workspaces, or classes, please get in touch at hello@bebuckfastleigh.co.uk.

The Newton Abbot Corps of The Salvation Army extends a heartfelt thank you to the residents of Buckfastleigh and Ashburton for their generous support during The Big Collection and the weekly sales of the Army's papers. Your contributions have made a significant impact, and we deeply appreciate every effort made.

A familiar face to many, Robert Pearn, has been instrumental in distributing the papers throughout the area and gathering donations for The Big Collection each year. His dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for his continued service.

On a personal note, Robert would like to express his gratitude for the wonderful birthday wishes he received as he celebrated his milestone 80th birthday at the end of August. Your kind gestures truly made his day special.

For more information or to get involved:
Contact the Newton Abbot Corps of The Salvation Army.

Join us at the Buckfastleigh Memory Café on 15th October for a special afternoon. If you or someone you know is living with memory problems or dementia, we warmly invite you both to share in this communal experience. This session marks the last train ride of the season, and from then on, we'll gather in a stationary, warm, and cosy carriage right on the platform through the winter months.

The gathering starts at the South Devon Railway where the train departs at 3:45 PM. Please ensure you arrive a bit earlier to settle in comfortably. The scenic journey will wrap up back in Buckfastleigh around 5:00 PM. There's no charge for parking, and during the ride, you'll enjoy free refreshments amidst wonderful company. While there's no set ticket price, we do suggest a donation of £2.50 to help cover costs.

There's no requirement to book in advance, but it's always a good idea to ring ahead if you're new or if you'd like more information. Perhaps you're also interested in lending a hand at future events? Volunteering with us is a rewarding way to give back to your community and support those living with memory challenges.

For more information or to express interest in volunteering, please contact Kathrine at kathrine@conversationworks.co.uk or call her on 07899 993134.

Join us at the next Patchwork Quilt Challenge meeting on Saturday, 19th October, held downstairs at St Luke’s from 10am till 3pm. This gathering is not just about stitching and patches; it's a heartfelt initiative where we create small quilts for the Special Care Baby Unit at Torbay Hospital. These quilts help provide premature babies with 'tummy time', an essential part of their care and development.

Alongside our ongoing project, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new venture. We will be making comforting quilts for young people in our community. This initiative is also an opportunity to share our love for sewing with others by distributing some of our resources. Stay tuned for more updates on this wonderful endeavour in the coming months.

If you've never sewn before but would like to give it a try, or if you're a seasoned pro, we would be delighted to have you join us for a day filled with creativity and community spirit. We'll provide refreshments, so all you need to bring is a packed lunch. Whether you can pop by for an hour or stay for the whole day, your presence will surely enrich the experience.

For more details, feel free to reach out to us. Let's stitch together some warmth for those in need!

October promises to be an eventful month at Buckfast Abbey, with a variety of activities planned to cater to all interests. From musical concerts to insightful garden retreats, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

5th October: The month kicks off with a captivating performance by the West Devon Chorale who will be presenting the Messe brève. This evening will be a treat for lovers of classical music and choral works.

12th October: The following week, prepare to be mesmerised by Charles Maxone-Smith at the Grand-Orgue Recital. An event not to be missed by enthusiasts of organ music.

14th-18th October: For those with a green thumb, the Gardeners’ Guided Retreat offers a splendid opportunity to delve deeper into the world of gardening. This retreat includes two day excursions to notable locations:

• The Eden Project
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan

19th October: Mid-month brings another musical highlight with the Collati Singers performing Poulenc: Gloria. This concert promises to be a stirring experience, blending sublime choral music with spiritual surroundings.

25th October: Rounding off the month, the Big Buckfast Quiz invites everyone to test their trivia knowledge in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere. Gather your mates and join in the fun!

For more details on these events, or if you need further information, please feel free to contact Buckfast Abbey directly. Visit their website or ring them at 01364 645500.

We are marking 350 years since the death of our local poet, Robert Herrick, vicar of Dean Prior church. His works, covering themes from witchcraft to cakes and ale, are celebrated through the Meadow Verse collective's concert.

This special event will be held at Moor Imagination Centre, Chapel Street, Buckfastleigh, starting at 7pm on Saturday 12th October. The venue offers limited seating, so early ticket purchase is recommended. Tickets are available at the venue or can be reserved by emailing Lucinda at lucinda@skylark.fm.

Recently, our Methodist community gathered to celebrate the harvest at Moor Imagination Collective, thanks to everyone who could join and contribute. We're excited about more such events in the future.

Sunday Worship: Regular services continue at the chapel within the abbey grounds, opposite the main doors. Join us on the second Sunday of each month at 10:30 am, and at 3:00 pm on other Sundays.

The chapel is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm for visitors and private reflection. Feel free to leave prayer requests, which are included in our Sunday services.

Weekly Coffee Morning: Join us at the Valiant Soldier in Buckfastleigh every Wednesday from 10 am to 12 noon for a warm cup and friendly chatter.

All are welcome at our services and events. For more information, contact Rev Kevin Hooke at kevin.hooke@methodist.org.uk or 0777 257 1647, and Steward Andrew Parsons at 07834 468 880.

Many residents often wonder why our local Town Council can't simply fix issues like potholes or overgrown roadsides in Buckfastleigh. The truth is, while larger bodies like Teignbridge District Council, Devon County Council, or Dartmoor National Park have the primary responsibility—and the funding—for such tasks, they often focus more on larger towns. This leaves smaller communities like ours feeling a bit neglected and looking a tad shabby.

However, what's less visible is another vital role our Town Council plays—supporting the social fabric of our community. Despite lacking the legal powers and resources of larger governmental bodies, our Town Council is deeply involved in nurturing local initiatives. Many local groups rely on the council for both small and significant grants, which help provide crucial services and activities for everyone, from the young to the elderly, throughout the year.

These groups are essential; they offer lifelines and opportunities for engagement that maintain the vibrancy and resilience of Buckfastleigh. You can review the range of activities supported by the Town Council in our latest grant allocations report available on our website:

• Grant Allocations Report 2023-24

If these groups were to cease, our town risks becoming just another commuter hub, which is why our commitment extends beyond just aesthetics to preserving our community’s heart and soul. We continue to advocate for responsibility from higher authorities and seek ways to enhance our town’s appearance and spirit.

If you have thoughts, questions, or suggestions, or if you’d just like to have a chat over a cuppa, please join us at our next drop-in session. It's an alternative to our usual monthly meeting and everyone is welcome:

• Date: Wednesday 16th October
• Time: 3.00pm to 8.00pm
• Location: Town Hall

Contact for more information: Please feel free to come along, or you can always reach out if you need to discuss anything before the session.

October Sunday Services: St Luke’s Church invites everyone to join us for our Sunday services throughout October. Services are at 11am each Sunday, with a special Compline service at 6pm on October 6th. Our Harvest Thanksgiving will be celebrated on October 13th.

Foodbank Services: Our Foodbank provides essential items and is open on Friday mornings. For assistance, call 01364 644485. The Foodbank Café also offers advice from a CAB adviser and other agencies each week.

For more details on our services, visit www.stlukeschurchbuckfastleigh.org.uk or call our Team Rector, Gina Radford, at 07903 400480.