Buckfastleigh Community News

Exciting news for music lovers in our community! St Luke’s Church in Buckfastleigh is hosting an afternoon concert, offering a unique musical experience for all. The concert will feature harpsichord and organ music by Handel and Mozart, performed by the highly acclaimed Richard Lester.

Richard, who has received high praise from the Daily Telegraph as 'one of our leading players', and in the Penguin Guide to the 1000 finest Classical Recordings, as 'undoubtedly a master', promises to deliver a captivating performance of these classical pieces.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 14th, as the concert begins at 2.30pm. It's a perfect opportunity to enjoy a summer afternoon filled with beautiful music!

The best part? Admission is completely free! However, we will have a retiring collection towards Church funds. Any contributions you can make will be gratefully received and will go directly towards supporting our cherished community work.

We look forward to seeing you at St Luke’s Church for this delightful musical event. It's bound to be an afternoon to remember!

The dedicated members of the Patchwork Quilt Challenge group have been hard at work creating beautiful quilts for those in need. We're proud to announce that we have delivered 23 baby quilts to SCBU at Torbay. Additionally, we are planning to support RAFT (Refugee Aid for Taunton) and Exeter Refugee Support with quilts for children, teenagers, and others this year. Our heartfelt thanks to Virginia Turbett for her help with this initiative.

These efforts reflect our group's ethos of offering a helping hand to those who need the kindness of strangers. We've been fortunate to welcome new members to the Patchwork Quilt Challenge this year, and we're thrilled to share our friendship, expertise, and companionship with the wider community. And, of course, we appreciate the donated fabric and wadding that goes into making each quilt!

Upcoming Meetings: We're excited to announce our next meetings, which will be held downstairs at St Lukes in Buckfastleigh. Please mark your calendars for Saturdays 14th June and 12th July, from 10am to 3pm. We'll provide refreshments, but we ask that you bring your own packed lunch. There's no charge to attend these events, thanks to grants given by our Town Council and the Town Lottery. We'd love to see you there!

If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to welcoming you at our next meeting and sharing our love of quilting for a good cause!

Join us for the Buckfastleigh History Society's talk on Thursday, 19th June at 7:30 PM at the Valiant Soldier Museum, Fore Street. Jonty Williams will present 'An Investigation into Devon's Husbandry of its land and Communities'.

This presentation will explore the historical and contemporary management of Devon's land and its communities. Entry fee is £5, and card payments are accepted.

For further details, please reach out to the Buckfastleigh History Society.

Join the Moorland Community Care Group for our Moor Social events at Buckfastleigh Bowling Club, Duckspond Road, TQ11 0NL. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, with the next gatherings on Wednesday, 4th June and Wednesday, 18th June, from 12 pm to 2 pm.

For a suggested donation of £4, enjoy sandwiches, pudding, and a fun activity. Need a ride? Call 07794 5992056. More info? Email info@moorlandcommunitycaring.org.uk.

We're excited to announce that on Saturday 21st June, between 13:00-16:00, the Friends of St. Mary's are hosting a delightful Summer Fayre at St. Mary's Primary School. This event is open to everyone in the community, and the best part is, entry is absolutely free!

There's a lot on offer to keep you entertained. Enjoy a variety of stalls including a tombola, lucky dip, soak the teacher, and hook a duck. We haven't forgotten about our youngest visitors — we have a free toddler area, along with a bouncy castle and an inflatable obstacle course. We'll also host a cake and art competition, and refreshments will be available for purchase. And yes, the BBQ will be fired up!

Don't forget to participate in our fantastic raffle, which boasts a range of exciting prizes. We're always grateful for donations from individuals and local businesses. If you're able to kindly donate something, please email secretary@fosms.onmicrosoft.com.

Just a note: Parking at the school is limited, but the Abbey has kindly offered overflow parking. Please remember to cross at the assigned point for safety. We also suggest bringing small change to make purchases easier.

So come along, bring your friends and family, and join us for a day filled with community spirit and summer fun! For more details, please email secretary@fosms.onmicrosoft.com.

Warm greetings to all! We're excited to invite you to join us at The Dragon Sanctuary for a special Singing Sanctuary event. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the moving experience of singing devotional songs, led by the talented Leo and Sundara Sofer.

Accompanied by harmonium and guitar, we'll be singing original songs inspired by prayers and sayings from spiritual traditions around the world. Sundara will be playing the harmonium and Leo will be on the guitar. The presence of two instruments allows for a richer musical experience, enabling everyone to chime in and relax into the rhythm of the music.

You don't need to be an experienced singer to join us, everyone is welcome! We're all here to enjoy the music and the company of our fellow community members.

Here are the details of our event:

• Date: Sunday, 15th June 2025
• Time: 7:30pm to 9pm (doors open at 7pm for a cup of tea and a chat)
• Location: The Dragon Sanctuary, 34 Bossell Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DD
• Entrance Fee: £7

No need to book in advance, just come along if the mood takes you. For more information about this and other events, do visit our website at www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk.

Summer is here, and so is the chance to join the Scoriton & Buckfastleigh Twinning Association for a series of delightful events! Fresh from the success of their recent coffee morning at the MIC, the Association is all set to take a stall at the upcoming Fun Day on Sunday, June 29th, at Old Millennium Green.

Fun Day: This day promises fun for everyone, especially the children. They can participate in games like matching French words with pictures and the much-loved Kids’ Chocolate Challenge, where winners get to take home chocolate prizes!

Later in the summer, the Twinning Association is excited to welcome visitors from Fontaine-Henry in Normandy, France. They'll be arriving in Buckfastleigh on Saturday, August 23rd.

Welcome Ceremony: A traditional Vin d’Honneur will be held to greet them, this year in the form of a Ram Roast at Rattery Village Hall. On Sunday, guests will enjoy a day with their hosts, followed by a lively Ceilidh at Buckfast Village Hall in the evening. As is tradition, the visit will conclude with a trip to the Scoriton Flower Show, where several of the French guests are expected to take part in the race.

Come join us in this celebration of friendship and community!

Dean Prior 100 Club

Our May draw brought cheer to three of our members. Philip Langley-May, Katherine Jeffery, and Jeanne Pinney were the lucky winners. We're grateful for the continued support from all members. If you're not a member yet, we have some spare tickets up for grabs. Please reach out to Lynda Grieveson for more details.

Coffee Mornings at Dean Prior Village Hall

We're still revelling in the success of our Coffee Morning on 3rd May, which raised an impressive £529 for Dean Prior Church! We couldn't have achieved this without the wonderful support from our community, who joined us for cakes, coffee, and plant shopping. Thank you all!

We're keeping the momentum going with another Coffee Morning planned for Saturday, 27th July. While there won't be plants this time, there'll be plenty of cakes and coffee to savour. The event will take place from 10am until noon at the Village Hall in Dean. We hope to see you there!

The Share Shed, known as the world's first mobile Library of Things, has received a grant of £252,316 from the National Lottery Community Fund. This great news means more people across South Devon, including right here in Buckfastleigh, will benefit from this initiative over the next four years.

The project, led by the Network of Wellbeing, is titled “Happier People and Stronger Communities through Share and Repair in South Devon”. Its aim is to make it easier for local residents to borrow items, learn practical skills, and connect through community action.

If you haven't come across the Share Shed before, it’s essentially a library of useful items. From gardening tools and power drills to carpet cleaners, sewing machines, camping gear, and much more, over 350 items are available for borrowing. The Library of Things visits Buckfastleigh every week, helping residents save money, reduce waste, and aid the environment.

Thanks to the new funding, the Share Shed plans to:

• Offer free memberships to low-income households.
• Host more community events, Repair Cafés, and skill-sharing workshops.
• Reduce carbon emissions by promoting borrowing instead of buying.
• Support volunteers and build stronger partnerships with local groups.
• Introduce new services like out-of-hours borrowing via smart lockers.

Project Manager of the Share Shed, Mirella Ferraz, expressed her gratitude for the grant: “This support from the National Lottery Community Fund is a game changer. It will help us support thousands more people to save money, gain new skills, and strengthen community ties through sharing and repair.”

The Share Shed is available every Saturday, between 10am and 12.30pm at The Globe Inn Car Park, Plymouth Rd, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DA. Whether you need a hedge trimmer, a chocolate fountain, or want to learn how to fix a broken toaster, the Share Shed is here to assist.

To find out more or to get involved, visit: www.shareshed.org.uk.

Discussing end-of-life isn't common, but Heart and Soul Funerals offers a monthly space for these important conversations at the MIC Centre in Buckfastleigh. The 'Dying Conversations' group invites everyone to discuss, listen, and ask questions in an informal setting. Topics range from Bereavement and Coping with Grief to Living Wills and Palliative Care.

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:00 PM, with upcoming sessions on Thursday, 26th June and Thursday, 31st July. The group meets at the MIC Centre, Chapel Street, Buckfastleigh, and is open to all without charge, though donations for refreshments are welcome.

To learn more, contact Simon Smith at Heart and Soul Funerals at 01364 643522 or hello@heartandsoulfunerals.co.uk.

St Benedict's Catholic Church in Chapel Street, Buckfastleigh (TQ11 0AQ) 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.

Pentecost: On Saturday June 7th at 5pm, come and celebrate Pentecost- the birthday of the Church- the day when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples with the gifts they needed to continue the work of Jesus. Mass of Pentecost at Buckfast Abbey will be on Sunday June 8th at 9am and 11am.

The Feast of Corpus Christi: Our Vigil Mass on Saturday June 21st will be held in honour of the real presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion. We remind ourselves that Jesus is truly present with us. You are very welcome to join us for this beautiful service. Alternatively, you are invited to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi at Buckfast Abbey on Sunday June 22nd at 9am and 11am.

Are you staying locally on holiday and looking for a Catholic Church? We are always delighted to welcome visitors to our Saturday Mass at St Benedict's. Come and find us.

Buckfastleigh Food Bank: There is a donation point for the Food Bank 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

Get ready for a fun-filled June at the Valiant Soldier Heritage Centre! We're hosting a variety of events and activities that promise to bring history to life and make this month memorable.

Roaring Twenties Evening: Join us on 21st June for an evening at the Valiant Soldier Speakeasy Bar. Enjoy a cocktail or a local cider/beer and be transported back to the 1920s. We're open from 6pm to 10pm and look forward to seeing you there!

Exhibition: Buckfastleigh 100 Years Ago
We're participating in the 'Festival of Devon in the 1920s' with an exhibition that recreates Buckfastleigh from a century ago. Curated by our Archive team, it's an intriguing glimpse into the past.

We're open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am to 3.30pm (last entry at 3pm) until the end of October. Sundays and Bank Holidays will be added from late July through August. Don't forget our woolly sheep quiz for the little ones. TQ11 residents enjoy free entry!

Gifts and Souvenirs: Visit our new Visitor Centre for a variety of keepsakes and gifts. From jewellery to local crafts, games to pre-read books, and even Salcombe ice cream, there's something for everyone.

Room Hire: Need a venue? We offer room hire. Email us at info@valiantsoldier.org.uk or visit our website at valiantsoldier.org.uk for details.

Volunteer With Us: We're seeking volunteers to help greet visitors, manage the reception desk, or provide administrative and IT support. Interested? Drop in or email us at info@valiantsoldier.org.uk.

Support Us: You could win £25,000 by supporting us through the Teignbridge lottery! Tickets are just £1, with 50p going to the Valiant Soldier. Find us on the Teignbridge Lottery for Communities page. Or donate via our GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/f819a57a. Every contribution helps maintain our buildings.

Coffee Mornings: Enjoy a cuppa and friendly conversation at our coffee mornings every Wednesday from 10am-12pm. Hosted by the Methodist group, everyone is welcome.

We can't wait to welcome you to the Valiant Soldier Heritage Centre this June!

Bounce and Rhyme Sessions: Remember, every Friday at 2.30pm, we host a free, fun filled song session for babies, toddlers, and their grown ups. These sessions are a fantastic way for the little ones to interact and learn.

The Great Duck Spot: From Monday 23rd June to Saturday 28th June, we're adding some feathered fun to our usual quiet library atmosphere. To build the excitement for the Duck Race, we're hosting a hide and seek game. Find all the hidden ducks and win your own plush Usborne duck! It costs just £1 to enter, and we'll also provide free fun worksheets for all participants.

Jigsaw Competition - We Need Your Input: Ivybridge Library recently hosted a Jigsaw Competition, where teams of four raced to complete a 500-piece jigsaw. It was a hit, with prizes and refreshments on offer. We're considering hosting a similar event right here in Buckfastleigh. So, if you're interested, do let us know next time you're in the library.

Whether you're a bookworm, a puzzle lover or a parent hunting for fun activities for your kids, Buckfastleigh Library has something for you this June. We can't wait to welcome you!

If you're interested in knitting or looking for a friendly group to join, consider Purl and a Pint. We are a welcoming group that meets at The Kings Arms in Buckfastleigh every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

This month, we're focusing on the colour green, inspired by nature's diverse green colour scheme. It's a challenge to find variegated yarn that replicates these colours, but we're up for it! It's always amazing to see the patterns and colours that emerge when working with variegated yarn.

Whether you're thinking about starting a new hobby or used to knit in the past and want to pick it up again, we'd love to have you join us. Our group is full of people who are happy to help you get started.

Upcoming Dates:

• 11th & 25th June
• 9th & 23rd July
• 13th & 27th August

If you want to chat before attending for the first time, feel free to call Dawn on 07990 332816. We look forward to welcoming you to Purl and a Pint!

The Wool Hub, hosted by the Woolly Nanas, is a vibrant community space offering an array of woolcraft workshops, engaging children's sessions, and a delightful shop filled with handmade woolly treasures. Whether you're an experienced crafter or just starting, there's something for everyone this June!

Workshops and Sessions:

• Children’s Craft Sessions: Join us during term time for Felting Fun Mondays from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, priced at £15, suitable for children aged 8 and above. Young Weavers Tuesdays welcome children of all ages from 3:30 to 5:00 PM for £15, with children under 6 requiring an accompanying adult.
• Two Moors Pine Marten Project Free Workshops: Explore needle felting animals and plants at no cost. Sessions are available on Monday 2nd and 23rd June from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, and every Friday at The Wool Hub from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Shop and Drop-ins:

The shop is open daily during drop-in hours, offering a range of handmade items including felt hats, rugs, ear warmers, and more. Our drop-in sessions are designed for crafters of all ages and abilities, with a suggested donation of £5. Special hours on certain days in June include:

• Adjusted Hours: Tuesdays (3rd, 17th, 24th) and Wednesdays (4th, 11th, 18th) from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
• Normal Hours: Tuesday 10th June from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Wednesday 25th June from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

To book workshops or children’s sessions, please email woollynanas@gmail.com. Advance payment is required, but free cancellation is available up to 7 days before the event. For the latest updates, keep an eye on our website or Facebook page.

The next gathering of the Buckfastleigh Memory Cafe is taking place on Tuesday, 17th June, and we're inviting anyone living with memory problems and dementia to join us for a journey by steam to Totnes and back. Follow the river Dart through the heart of the beautiful Devon countryside, enjoying stimulating conversation and refreshments along the way.

If you haven't been before, please give Kathrine a call and she'll fill you in on everything you need to know about parking, access, and what to expect. Or, you're welcome to simply turn up at the South Devon Railway station at 3:30 PM for a 3:45 PM departure. We can't wait to see you there!

You can reach Kathrine at Kathrine@conversationworks.co.uk or by phone at 07899 993134. We're looking forward to a wonderful afternoon!

The Buckfastleigh Mothers' Union recently enjoyed a captivating talk and slide show presented by Val Hoare, focusing on her travels in Mongolia. Held on Thursday 1st May, the event was a hit among our members who were particularly impressed by Val's detailed accounts of the local people and her extensive explorations on foot.

Looking ahead, we're excited to announce our next meeting scheduled for Thursday, 5th June at 2:30 pm at St Luke's Church. This time, we will have the pleasure of hearing from Marigold Seager-Berry, who will deliver a talk on our MU activities. We warmly welcome visitors to join our friendly group and learn more about what the Mothers' Union has to offer.

For further details about the Mothers' Union, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Janet Jones on 01364 643627.

Buckfastleigh Community News urgently requires volunteer delivery helpers for Glebelands Estate due to our regular deliverer's illness. The role is temporary, potentially becoming permanent, involving about one hour, ten times annually.

If you can assist, please contact David at 01364 642922 or Chris at 01364 643553. Thank you for your support and willingness to help our community.

Worship Services: We warmly invite you to join us for our June worship services at Buckfast Methodist Church. Services are scheduled as follows:

• Sunday, June 1st at 3pm
• Sunday, June 8th at 10:30am
• Sunday, June 22nd at 3pm
• Sunday, June 29th at 3pm

Additionally, on Sunday, June 15th, we will not hold our usual service. Instead, we encourage everyone to attend a special Songs of Praise event at 6:30pm at Bovey Tracey Methodist Church. This special gathering will honor Andrew Parsons as a Local Preacher and share insights about our partnership with Churches in East India.

Daily Chapel Opening: Our chapel doors remain open daily from approximately 10am to 4pm for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat for reflection and personal prayer. Whether you're having a busy day or week, our chapel is a serene place to pause and rejuvenate.

Coffee Morning: Our regular coffee mornings continue at the Valient Soldier every Wednesday until noon. It's a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and meet new people in a welcoming atmosphere.

For more information about our services and events, feel free to visit us right opposite the main entrance to Buckfast Abbey or contact us for any inquiries.

We are delighted to welcome Alex Holmes as the new Team Vicar at St Luke's Church, now part of the Dart and Avon Mission Community. Alex has moved here from Somerset and looks forward to becoming an integral part of our community. Feel free to greet her during her walks with her border collies, or contact her at revalexholmes@gmail.com or 07576 193701. Her working days are Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Sunday Services in June:

• Compline service on June 1 at 6:00 PM
• Morning services on the following three Sundays at 11:00 AM
• Combined open-air service on June 29 in Littlehempston (no service at St Luke's that day).

Free Concert: Organ and harpsichord concert featuring Handel and Mozart on June 14 at 2:30 PM. Free entry, donations welcome for church funds.

Foodbank Support: Assistance is available every Friday morning at St Luke's. For help, call 01364 644485.

For more information, visit www.stlukeschurchbuckfastleigh.org.uk or contact Alex Holmes directly at 07576 193701.

Join us for a storytelling workshop with Chris Salisbury on June 11th from 6pm to 8pm, hosted by the Devon Wildlife Trust at a beautiful woodland setting by the River Dart. This event invites participants to engage creatively with storytelling alongside a renowned author.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, June 11th
• Time: 6pm - 8pm
• Location: Near New Bridge, 4 miles from Ashburton.

Spaces are limited and the event is free. For booking, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org (what's on). Parking and restrooms are available at the starting location in New Bridge.

This workshop is especially aimed at residents of Buckfastleigh and nearby communities. A unique opportunity to blend creativity with the natural beauty of Dartmoor!

Support the Buckfastleigh Town Lottery, a local non-profit initiative that provides funding for community projects and events within Buckfastleigh. Initially hosted at Huccabies, the lottery now operates out of J Searle & Son.

By participating, you help fund important local events like the Christmas town lighting, and you have the opportunity to win cash prizes weekly. The prize fund is 55% of the weekly stakes, with a jackpot and additional prizes.

Entries can be multiple, with a weekly cost of £1 in cash or £4.34 monthly by standing order. Winners are announced weekly in the shop window and on Facebook.

To apply for grants, community groups can write to Buckfastleigh Town Lottery at 43 Fore Street, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0AA, or email shop@seales.tv, subject 'Buckfastleigh Town Lottery'. Grant criteria are available on request.

For details, visit our Facebook page or J Searle & Son.

Discover a wealth of activities at Moor Imagination Centre, offering everything from dance and fitness to music and crafts. Our cafe serves organic plant-based food and operates on a sliding scale pricing system, open Friday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Regular Weekly Activities Include:

• Mondays feature Gentle Shimmy at 11:30am, a community craft group from 6pm, and Andy's Man Club at 7pm.
• Tuesdays bring Tai Chi, Karate, music sessions for teens, and a community choir.
• Wednesdays are for Kids Kung Fu, Lindy Hop, and martial arts.
• Thursdays offer theatre sessions for youths and discussions on end-of-life issues.
• Fridays include Yoga, art classes, and drama for younger children.
• Saturdays host the Buckfastleigh Repair Cafe every third Saturday.
• Sundays feature a Makers Market, sound baths, and a bookbinding course.

Don't Miss Our Special Events:

• 24 May: DEEP SKIES live experience
• 30 May: Strange News jazz gig
• 4 July: Poetry & Dance evening
• 10 July: Dance, Spoken Word & Poetry night

Visit www.moorimagination.org for more information and to book tickets.