Edition 583 September 2025
Printed courtesy of Mrs Annette Haynes as a service to the community
Please email your entries for the October 2025 issue to: ThePennant@mail.com by 21st September 2025
ST MARY’S COMMUNITY TRUST
Saturday 13th September – THE LAST RAYS OF SUMMER
Outdoor musical event. Join us in the village playing field (entry on Westbury) from 3pm to 9pm for a fun afternoon and evening of entertainment. We will have a bar and there will be food for sale. Why not bring a picnic (but please don’t bring drinks – buy your drinks from us!). The Parish Council kindly waives the no dogs rule for these events so Fido can come too, just so long as he stays on a lead and his people clear up after him.
Jo, Alan, Rob, Ruth, Trevor and Gary,
The ST MARY’S COMMUNITY TRUST team
Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank Neighbourhood Plan
The pre-submission draft of the Plan has now been completed. Please note the following key dates:
- The plan will be available to view on the Parish Council website (https://bradford-abbas.uk/) from Tuesday 23rd September.
- There will be a public launch event taking place at 7.00pm on Tuesday 30th September in the Village Hall when there will be a presentation of the Plan and printed copies will be available for public viewing. Hard copies will also be available to read in the phone box, pub, village hall, sports centre and church. Loan copies can be requested by phoning 01935 602279.
- Drop-in consultation sessions will take place at 10.30-11.30 am on Saturday 11th October at St Mary’s Church and at 3.00-4.00 pm on Sunday 12th October at the Bradford Abbas Sports and Leisure Centre when you will have the opportunity to pose any questions you may have about the Plan to members of the Neighbourhood Plan team.
- Any comments you may have regarding the Plan can be submitted either online on the Parish Council website or in writing at the consultation sessions or at the locations where hard copies can be viewed (see above). The consultation period ends on Tuesday 11th November.
Bradford Abbas Parish Council
Dorset Council has published its Local Plan Options Consultation Options 2025 document which sets out opportunities for meeting the development needs of the Dorset Council area. ‘It will help form the Dorset Council Local Plan which will be used when making planning decisions in Dorset. The Local Plan will be Dorset Council’s response to the Government’s commitment to addressing the shortage of housing, to enable economic growth and deliver essential infrastructure to enable this growth. It will also set out how planning decisions will seek to conserve and enhance the environment, including measures to address climate change.’
The documents can be found at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-is-changing and at County Hall, Dorchester during normal opening hours. The options consultation document (though not the appendices) will also be available in Dorset libraries. The council is seeking feedback on the identified opportunities to help it prepare for the next round of the local plan production. The response form can be found online, downloaded and completed electronically or printed off and filled out by hand with completed response forms being sent to planningpolicyconsult@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or by post to Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ. Comments should reach the Council by no later than 13th October 2025.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd September 2025, 7.00pm in the Village Hall. Villagers are invited to attend. A period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to raise issues or make comments on items on the Agenda which can be read on the PC’S website: https://bradford-abbas.uk/. The Agenda will include the Dorset Council Local Plan Consultations Options 2025, as above.
Rose and Crown, Bradford Abbas
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Rose and Crown Big Summer Charity Party, we raised £400 for the Stroke Charity!
Opening hours: Tuesday 5- close; Wednesday - Thursday 12-3 & 5-close; Friday 12-close; Saturday 10am – close; Sundays 12 noon – 6pm.
Restaurant:
Wednesday - Friday 12pm-2pm & 5.30pm-8.30pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm and 5.30-8.30pm, Sunday 12-4pm
All food is available as a takeaway.
- Lunchtime Specials: Pop in to see our specials board! Served Wednesday - Saturday 12pm - 2pm
- Tuesday Evenings: Pizza & a Pint £15 Served from 5.30pm - 8pm
- Wednesday & Thursday from 5.30pm Join us for Grill Night!
- Fish & Chip Friday: Served every Friday lunchtime 12pm - 2pm
- Join us for breakfast, every Saturday served 10am - 12pm
- Sunday Carvery - Limited availability, please contact us to book
- Meat Draw every Sunday at 4.30pm
September events:
- Staff Leavers: We are sad to announce that that both Izzy W and Izzy P are leaving us at the beginning of September. We are having a leaving party on the evening of Saturday 6th September where we have live music from Kelly Dale. We hope that you will join us in wishing them all the best in the future.
- Quiz Night: Thursday 18th September. Come and test your knowledge! Teams of 4-6, £2pp. From 8pm.
Future Dates:
- Halloween: On Saturday 25th October we are hosting a Children’s Halloween party from 4-6pm, followed by an Adults Halloween Party with a DJ. Please look out on our social media for further details.
- Christmas Parties: Our menu is now available. Book Now for your Christmas party.
- Christmas Day Bookings: We are offering Christmas Carvery with all the trimmings, one sitting only at 1pm. Limited availability. Book now to avoid disappointment.
Don’t forget, you can hire our skittle alley - please pop in or contact us to discuss further.
Contact us on: 01935 423199, email info@therosecrownbradfordabbas.co.uk
Visit our website https://www.therosecrownbradfordabbas.co.uk
Chatty Crafters
The next meeting of the Chatty Crafters will be held on Friday, 19th September, 2-4 pm at The Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas where Kitty and Bex will be holding a workshop on how to make ‘Corn Dolly’s’, if you would like to come to our workshop please can you call Brenda on 07970159093.
We meet every 3rd Friday of the month in The Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas between 2-4.
The Breast Cancer Afternoon Tea which we held on Friday 15th August raised an amazing £360.20p in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
We would like to thank all who attended/supported and gave so generously, the ladies who donated cakes, everyone who helped on the day and those who gave money donations. Our thanks also go to Arran and Samie and their amazing team at The Rose & Crown for holding the event and for their help on the day. Once again thank you to the community for their support.
Sherborne Hedgehog Group
Come and join us for an afternoon of Fun Bingo held by the Sherborne Hedgehog Group on 13th September between 2-5, at The Butterfly House, Castle Gardens, Sherborne. Sherborne Hedgehog Group are raising funds for the Hedgehog Rescue of Hazelbury Bryan. £10 to include the Bingo cards, a raffle and cup of tea/coffee and biscuits.
The Friendship Club
Our next meeting is at 2.00pm, Tuesday 2nd September at Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club. There is Bingo, a small draw, Tea & Biscuits and a chance to have a chat and laugh with fellow villagers. New members will be warmly welcome. Our meetings are always on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month.
Yeovil Railway Centre
- Sunday 7th September: Model Railway Swapmeet, 10.30 am to 2.30pm. Shop and refreshments available.
- Sunday 14th September: Steam Train day with Reptiles and Bugs. Have a train ride, meet them and handle them if you dare!
- Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September: this is a special weekend to celebrate 200 years of railways, the attractions to be announced.
See our website yeovilrailway.freeservers.com, or our Facebook page for more details
Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank Village Hall Bookings
To book the village hall please visit the parish council website to check availability, https://bradford-abbas.uk/hall, and complete the booking form. If you are unable to complete the form online please email bacmvh@gmail.com or ring 01935 602279 and a form can be printed off for you. A form must be completed to finalise booking the hall for insurance purposes. Thank you for supporting your village hall.
Monday Night Bingo
Every Monday at 6.45pm with eyes down at 7.15pm. at Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club. Everyone 18 and over are welcome to our weekly light-hearted evening which also includes a small draw and a chance to win the SNOW BALL and of course a laugh and chat, we finish just before 9.00pm.
ST MARY’S CHURCH, BRADFORD ABBAS
Thanks to everyone who came to the ORGAN RECITAL in church on 20th August. Those who came were treated to excellent performances from Huw Ridgeway and John Henville. The evening raised another £580 towards our heating project.
COMING SOON…
Saturday 6th September from 2.30 pm PARNHAM VOICES
The Parnham Voices are an a cappella choir, based in Beaminster. They will be presenting a short concert of their music (about 45 minutes) in our church. No need to buy tickets. Entry to this event is free, although the choir will make a collection for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. This promises to be an enjoyable afternoon so why not come along. Refreshments will be available too.
Sunday 7th September 10am OPEN DOOR SUNDAY
Across the benefice of 16 parishes, we are reaching out this autumn to people who may not be regular church goers. St Mary’s is here for all the people and we extend a very warm welcome to all-comers. On Sunday 7th September we are asking you to come and join us and find out what we are about. As it happens, that is the day we celebrate The Virgin Mary – after whom our church us named. After the service, please stay to take refreshments and to chat. Bring your loved ones or friends with you.
Saturday 13th September RIDE AND STRIDE
Every year, the Dorset Historic Churches Trust holds its Ride And Stride event where participants cycle or walk around the churches of the county, raising sponsorship money which is split between DHCT and their chosen church. This year, David Dunning – who often leads services here in B.A., is cycling to raise funds for us. If you would like to sponsor him, there is a sponsorship form on the table in the middle of the church.
Friday 10th October – Antiques Roadshow
Our Own Antiques Roadshow comes to Bradford Abbas. Antiques Valuation Evening by Dukes of Dorchester, Friday 10th October 2025 6.30 pm, Bradford Abbas Village Hall. Come and enjoy an evening of good food and wine. In aid of Bradford Abbas church heating fund.
UPCOMING SERVICES - EVERYBODY IS WELCOME
SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 10am Open Door Sunday / Patronal Service (lay-led)
SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 10am Holy Communion (led by James Clark)
SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 4pm Evensong - with choir (led by George Moody)
SUNDAY 19TH OCTOBER 10am Harvest Festival (led by David Dunning)
On Sundays when we are without a service here in Bradford Abbas, we encourage villagers to take in a service at one of our neighbouring churches. There is always a list of these on display in the church porch.
Sherborne Bradford Abbas Camera Club
- Tuesday 9th September: The season starts with the AGM and members evening, the theme is Summer.
- Tuesday 23rd September: Tony Worobiec on Night and Low Light Photography, a talk which will inspire you to grab your camera and get out during the winter months ahead.
We meet in the village hall on the second and fourth evenings in the month at 7.30 pm
See our website sbacameraclub.co.uk for further details or follow our Facebook page.