Edition 582 August 2025
Printed courtesy of Mrs Annette Haynes as a service to the community
Please email your entries for the September 2025 issue to: ThePennant@mail.com by 21st August 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. Put the date in your diaries now.
See you soon.
Jo, Alan, Rob, Ruth, Trevor and Gary,
The ST MARY’S COMMUNITY TRUST team
Rose and Crown, Bradford Abbas
August Events:
THE ROSE AND CROWN PRESENTS…. Big Summer Charity Party
Join us on Saturday 2nd August from 2pm when we will be raising money for Gryphon West
Gymnastics Club and The Stroke Association
We have…
Live Music, Ice Cream Van, Cake Stall, Hook a Duck, Face painting, Tractors, Pigmy Goats, Magic Show, Street Food, Plus much more.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! We have Lewis Hawkins - The Sound of the Suburbs playing from 8.30pm
7th August: Quiz Night
Future events:
6th September: Live Music by Kelly Dale
Book Now for you Christmas party, Menus coming soon.
Christmas Day Bookings: We are offering Christmas Carvery with all the trimmings, one sitting only at 1pm. Book now to avoid disappointment.
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
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
Mixed Ability Yoga
Mixed Ability Yoga - Saturdays 8.30am-9.30am Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Come along and join us! These are friendly and fun classes, suitable for most. Start your weekend with movement and relaxation. £9 per session.
- August dates: 2nd/9th/16th/23rd (No yoga on the 30th)
Emma Riley: https://www.facebook.com/Emma-Riley-Yoga-112642420645325
https://www.instagram.com/emma_riley_yoga/
Chatty Crafters
At the August Chatty Crafters meeting, which will be held on Friday August 15th, we are holding a Breast Cancer Afternoon tea. Please come along and help raise money for this very worthy cause. Tea and cake will be served between 2-4pm at the Rose & Crown, Bradford Abbas.
At our September meeting (September 19th) two of our very talented crafters are holding a workshop on how to make ‘Corn Dollies’. If anyone is interested in attending please contact Brenda on 07970159093.
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 5th August 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
- Tuesday 5th August: Diesel Train Day using one of our diesel locos and take a ride on the miniature railway as well. See our model railway layout and visit our museum exhibits upstairs in the visitor centre, food and drinks are available in the cafe. The shop on platform 3 will be open with lots of goodies - books, toys, model railway new and pre-loved.
- Sunday 10th August: Steam Train Day with 0-4-0 Peckett Pectin, come and have a spin on the turntable.
- Tuesday 12th August: Diesel Train Day, details as on 5th.
- Saturday 16th August: Atlantic Coast Excursion, London to Exeter via Yeovil Junction, returning via Taunton. Engine and times not yet known.
- Tuesday 19th August: Diesel Train Day, details as on 5th.
- Sunday 24th August: Steam Train Day with our little red engine Pectin. This will be our third Comicon event. Come dressed as your favourite Comic book or Sci-fi character!
- Tuesday 26th August: Diesel Train Day
ST MARY’S CHURCH, BRADFORD ABBAS
COMING SOON…
Wednesday 20th August ORGAN RECITAL
We are fortunate to have some excellent organists in our area and, according to those who play it at Bradford Abbas which has one of the best church organs around. Huw Ridgeway and John Henville have agreed to play a varied programme of organ music for us, starting at 7pm. Doors open at 6pm and there will be a bar serving alcoholic, soft and hot drinks. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Gary Siggins (07799 430400) or pop into the church during our Saturday morning café session (every Saturday!) to get yours.
Saturday 6th September from 14:45pm 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.
Later in the Autumn
We are planning an antiques evening with professional auctioneers from Dukes Auctioneers sharing their knowledge about treasures you bring from home. We are also trying to fit in a shared musical evening in the Village Hall. Check future editions of the Pennant and on the Pennant’s Facebook page for details.
Three Valleys Benefice Choir
If you have sung with our benefice choir in the past or if you would like to join, you will be glad to hear that the choir will be singing at an Evensong service in Bradford Abbas on Sunday 5th October. The choir is made up of singers from parishes across our benefice and is led by Simon Eadon. This is a great opportunity for B.A. -based singers to join in. Contact Gary Siggins or Anne Hurrell (07799 430400) to get details of upcoming rehearsals. Please remember to spread the word if you know of others who might like to join us.
UPCOMING SERVICES - EVERYBODY IS WELCOME
SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST 10am Morning Worship (lay-led)
SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 10am Holy Communion (led by David Dunning)
SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 10am Open Door Sunday / Patronal Service (lay-led)
SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 10am Holy Communion (led by George Moody)
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.
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.
Sherborne Bradford Abbas Camera Club
Regular meetings will resume on Tuesday 10th September.
See our website sbacameraclub.co.uk for further details or follow our Facebook page.
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.
Bradford Abbas Parish Council
Action will be taken by the end of this summer to improve safety on the A30 near Bradford Abbas. This is in response to a Coroner’s report and a number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions at Loscombe Crossroads. In response, Dorset Council plans to introduce the following actions under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO):
1. Movement restrictions at Over Compton junction:
- All right-turn, U-turn, and straight-over movements into Marl Lane and Old Compton Lane from the A30 will be prohibited.
- Left turn movements onto and off the A30 at Marl Lane and Old Compton Lane will still be permitted.
- Barriers will be installed at the junction to enforce these changes.
The effectiveness of the restrictions will be reviewed before any decision is made to make permanent changes.
2. Feasibility study for average speed cameras:
Due to persistent speeding and a high number of collisions along the A30 between Yeovil and Sherborne, the Council will conduct a feasibility study into the effectiveness of installing average speed cameras. This will be done in collaboration with Dorset Police to support enforcement of the 60mph speed limit introduced in October 2024.
The footpath between Saxton Maybank and Old Compton Lane has been cleared, thanks to Dorset Council staff. Please note, there is still some debris left after the clearance, in particular dead brambles, so humans and dogs need to take care when walking there.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 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 you can read on the PC’S website: https://bradford-abbas.uk/.